The Borno State Government has denied the rumor making the mills that six out of the former Boko Haram insurgents kept in the hajj camp have escaped.
A statement by the Commissioner of information Professor Usman Tar yesterday stated that indeed six out of the over 20,000 in the camp escaped but they did not leave with any arms from the camp.
“These repentant insurgents escaped unarmed and are being tracked down.”
Regarding the rumors that the absconders escaped with government arms, “preliminary investigation reveals that this was not true.” said the Commissioner.
The Statement further stated that, “the attention of the Borno State government has been drawn to a recent escape of six repentant insurgents that had surrendered to the Borno State Government and processed under the Borno Model of Reconciliation, Peace building and Development.
“The Borno State government is fully aware of the incident and remains committed to collaborating with the relevant agencies to track and arrest the escapees.” Said Professor Tar
“These Repentant returnees are part of a cohort of over 20,000 militants that were recently documented, processed, profiled and categorized as “low risk” in terms of their mental state, vulnerability to violent extremism, propensity for psychotropic substance abuse and probability of relapse to violence.
“Terrorists and other violent non-state actors have historically acquired weapons from various subterranean sources, which they use in their propaganda videos. Therefore, seeing weapons in such videos does not imply they belong to the government.
“It is important to note that the six absconders are a very small and insignificant number when compared to the over 20,000 repentant individuals who were successfully processed and domiciled in the exit programme.
“The Borno State Government wishes to warn the public and stakeholders that we should be careful not to give in to terrorists’ propaganda by demoralizing our gallant troops and law-abiding citizens, as any amplification of this unfortunate situation may likely embolden the terrorists and undermine the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
“Citizens should be rest assured that all that is being done is to ensure peace in Borno State. We urge citizens and stakeholders to continue to support the government’s efforts in that regard. The Government is committed to restoring peace and security across the state.” The release stated.
Meanwhile, one resident has been killed while two others got injured in a recent attack by insurgents at the Kirawa community near Gwoza town recently.
A Cameroonian soldier under the Multinational Joint Task Force ( MNJTF ) was also said to be missing as Boko Haram attacked Kirawa Community of Gwoza council area of Borno state.
Sources told this reporter that the latest attack occurred barely a week ago where the terrorists abducted 15 farmers and killed five other civilians on the Nigerian independence day in Ngoshe community of the same Gwoza council area.
A source with the information of last week’s attack in Ngoshe , said the terrorists ambushed the farmers while they were busy with their farming activities in the community.
” After they took them to their base, the terrorists slaughtered the five that were killed , but later released three women out of the 15 farmers abducted at Ngoshe. ” said a source..
Speaking to our correspondent in a telephone conversation over the Kirawa attack, a resident of Gwoza who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the terrorists killed one civilian who was in a military vehicle, while two others sustained injuries as two military vehicles were set ablaze by the terrorists who fled after attacking the community.
The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idirisa Timta, has equally lamented the attacks on farmers and promised that residents would collaborate with the Nigerian military to ensure that the remnants of the terrorists are eliminated.
A statment from a resident in Gwoza summed up the whole incident of last week.
“We sorrowfully announce the abduction of about 15 farmers, including children, women, young, and elderly, by Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA.
“The attack also resulted in the death of CJTF member Jubril Dada Zarana and five civilians. The terrorists ambushed the farmers while they were busy with their farming activities.
“After taking them to their base, the terrorists mercilessly slaughtered 5 people namely; Isa Musa Moh’d Diyara ( Doglas), Salawuddin Suleman Dauda ( Lawan), Maryam Gwambran, Matan Kaka Mobil Aga, Baba Amos.
” The Boko Haram terrorists later released three 3 women, Anna Andrew Gadzawaga, Hauwa Braga and two little unidentified boys.
“Moreover, some people are missing as a result of this incident. The people did not return to Ngoshe during the catastrophe and as reported by the released women, they are not part of the abducted.
“The names of the missing residents noware: Babawo Kanin Shagari, Ummi Trabos and Babson Yaron Teacher.”
The source called on residents of the state and Gwoza Concerned Citizens, to please include their people in their prayers as they endure this helpless situation.
“Our people are severely suffering due to lack of essential life supports but they have chosen to remain in their fatherland because of the love they have for it. Neither Government nor NGO’S is providing them with food supplies.
The little farming of which they have hope for survival on, they have to put their lives along the line in order to harvest what they have planted. People of Ngoshe and the Neighboring villages (Gava, Agapalawa, Amuda, Chinene, Chikide, Dhugwade, Kwadale, Bokko, Barawa, Kughum, etc). Only God can come to our aid. Part of the people of the aforementioned villages are currently living in Ngoshe.” Said our source