Some
kid suspects released by military authorities in Maiduguri on Friday said the
Boko Haram sect paid them N5,000 each to burn primary schools and spy on
soldiers.
kid suspects released by military authorities in Maiduguri on Friday said the
Boko Haram sect paid them N5,000 each to burn primary schools and spy on
soldiers.
They
were among 23 women and 35 children released to the governors of Borno and Yobe
states by the Commander, 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri, Brig-Gen. R.O
Bamigboye, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim.
were among 23 women and 35 children released to the governors of Borno and Yobe
states by the Commander, 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri, Brig-Gen. R.O
Bamigboye, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim.
The
children, whose ages range between nine and 15 years, said they were given kegs
of petrol by Boko Haram leaders and sent to burn schools in both states.
children, whose ages range between nine and 15 years, said they were given kegs
of petrol by Boko Haram leaders and sent to burn schools in both states.
Borno
State Governor, Kashim Shettima, government officials and journalists listened
in bewilderment as the children narrated how they were used by the extremist
sect to burn schools and spy on soldiers.
State Governor, Kashim Shettima, government officials and journalists listened
in bewilderment as the children narrated how they were used by the extremist
sect to burn schools and spy on soldiers.
One of
them said they were taken to the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, and told to spy
on soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force and report back to the Boko Haram
commanders.
them said they were taken to the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, and told to spy
on soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force and report back to the Boko Haram
commanders.
He
said, “We were taken to Damaturu. We watched out for the soldiers at their unit
and reported back to them. We were reporting either when soldiers were at ease
or enjoying themselves and when they were off guard and we were paid for doing
that.”
said, “We were taken to Damaturu. We watched out for the soldiers at their unit
and reported back to them. We were reporting either when soldiers were at ease
or enjoying themselves and when they were off guard and we were paid for doing
that.”
Another
child suspect said, “I usually helped Boko Haram to leak information on
military activities so that they could attack them (soldiers). My last job was
to travel from Maiduguri to Gashua to spy on soldiers before I was caught.”
child suspect said, “I usually helped Boko Haram to leak information on
military activities so that they could attack them (soldiers). My last job was
to travel from Maiduguri to Gashua to spy on soldiers before I was caught.”
Yet
another said, “We usually help Boko Haram to carry stolen items each time and
sometimes help them to give information about people they want to attack and
sometimes even help to hide their guns after attacks. They pay us N5000 after
every operation. I regret what I did, I want to go home and ask for forgiveness
from my father and mother for what I did; I also want to go to school.”
another said, “We usually help Boko Haram to carry stolen items each time and
sometimes help them to give information about people they want to attack and
sometimes even help to hide their guns after attacks. They pay us N5000 after
every operation. I regret what I did, I want to go home and ask for forgiveness
from my father and mother for what I did; I also want to go to school.”
One of
the boys said he was arrested last year after he was overheard talking about
the people who burnt a school in Maiduguri and failed to inform the military.
the boys said he was arrested last year after he was overheard talking about
the people who burnt a school in Maiduguri and failed to inform the military.
“I was
arrested because I know those who burnt the school without telling the
soldiers. Some people heard me discussing about the people who burnt the school
and reported me to the soldiers who arrested me,” he said.
arrested because I know those who burnt the school without telling the
soldiers. Some people heard me discussing about the people who burnt the school
and reported me to the soldiers who arrested me,” he said.
One of
the teenagers said they were paid N5,000 and provided with fuel in kegs to set
schools ablaze in Maiduguri.
the teenagers said they were paid N5,000 and provided with fuel in kegs to set
schools ablaze in Maiduguri.
The
release of the suspects was done in line with the Federal Government’s amnesty
deal.
release of the suspects was done in line with the Federal Government’s amnesty
deal.
In
Borno State, 20 detainees, comprising six women and 14 children arrested between
2012 and 2013 were set free and handed over to Shettima for rehabilitation and
reintegration.
Borno State, 20 detainees, comprising six women and 14 children arrested between
2012 and 2013 were set free and handed over to Shettima for rehabilitation and
reintegration.
The 20
detainees were mostly arrested in Maiduguri, Bama in Borno and Damaturu in Yobe
State.
detainees were mostly arrested in Maiduguri, Bama in Borno and Damaturu in Yobe
State.
Bamigboye,
who supervised the handing over, said he was acting on behalf of the Chief of
Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim.
who supervised the handing over, said he was acting on behalf of the Chief of
Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim.
This,
he said, was in line with the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the
army.
he said, was in line with the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the
army.
He
explained that the detainees were arrested in connection with the roles they
played in the insurgency.
explained that the detainees were arrested in connection with the roles they
played in the insurgency.
The six
freed women were Hajia Zainab Mohammed, 40; Hajia Karagama Mohammed, 55; Hajia
Zari Mohammed, 40; Aishatu Mohammed Aji, 62; Hadiza Ahmad, 40; and Yakaka Goni
Habib, 16.
freed women were Hajia Zainab Mohammed, 40; Hajia Karagama Mohammed, 55; Hajia
Zari Mohammed, 40; Aishatu Mohammed Aji, 62; Hadiza Ahmad, 40; and Yakaka Goni
Habib, 16.
The 14
children released were Abba Modu Aji,10; Mohammed Musa, 12; Ibrahim Mohammed,
15; Umar Bukar, 15; Mustapha Umaru, 14; Bashir Ali, 12; Musa Grema, 13; Abba
Mohammed, 14; Baba Alhaji, 13; AbdulAziz Umar, 14; Ari Masa’a, 14; Bayi
Mustapha, 14; Mohammed Ibrahim, 14 and Alhaji Goni, 14
children released were Abba Modu Aji,10; Mohammed Musa, 12; Ibrahim Mohammed,
15; Umar Bukar, 15; Mustapha Umaru, 14; Bashir Ali, 12; Musa Grema, 13; Abba
Mohammed, 14; Baba Alhaji, 13; AbdulAziz Umar, 14; Ari Masa’a, 14; Bayi
Mustapha, 14; Mohammed Ibrahim, 14 and Alhaji Goni, 14
Source: Punch
