Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed concern over the possibility that some Boko Haram leaders serving sentences may have escaped from a correctional facility in Maiduguri after severe flooding hit the State capital.
Reports had highlighted that the flood claimed lives and caused significant destruction, including the damage of a section of an old prison in the city. In response, many inmates were transferred to a newly constructed maximum-security prison in Maiduguri.
While a security source confirmed the evacuation of inmates, unverified reports suggest that some may have escaped during the process.
During an interview with the BBC, Governor Zulum admitted his concern when asked about the potential escape of Boko Haram leaders, saying: “I’m seriously worried”.
However, he also noted the efforts of the Borno State Government to address insurgency, through the Borno Model of Rehabilitation, which has led over 200,000 insurgents and their families, to surrender and reintegrate into society in the past two years. This initiative, Zulum stated, has contributed to restoring peace and stability in the state.
Reflecting on the overall challenges, Governor Zulum lamented the compounded difficulties facing Borno, which has been ravaged by both insurgency and now natural disaster.
“More than 300,000 people were killed in Borno State, thousands of classrooms destroyed, and hundreds of facilities damaged by the insurgency. Just as we were recovering, this disaster strikes, creating another humanitarian crisis,” he said.
Governor Zulum acknowledged that the relief provided to flood victims has been inadequate, noting that the sheer scale of need cannot be addressed in a short time. He explained that the State government’s priority is to resettle victims in camps to better distribute aid and prevent further casualties during the relief efforts.
