Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed grave concern that the recent devastating floods in Maiduguri may have allowed some Boko Haram leaders serving jail terms to escape from prison.
In an interview with BBC News, Zulum stated, “I’m worried, yes, I’m seriously worried,” when asked if he feared Boko Haram terrorists had escaped during the flood disaster. The floods, which have affected over a million people in the state, caused significant damage to the old prison, leading authorities to evacuate many inmates to a new maximum-security facility.
Zulum highlighted that the Borno State Government had implemented a rehabilitation program called the “Borno Model” that had allowed over 200,000 Boko Haram members and their families to repent in the past two years. However, he lamented that the current crisis would be a significant setback, stating, “We are just trying to get out of this problem and then now we witnessed another disaster—a very serious calamity, another serious humanitarian crisis which the state governor cannot shoulder.”
The governor also expressed frustration with the inadequate support being provided to the flood victims, stating, “There is no way we can provide food to millions of people in one or two hours.” Zulum emphasized the need to organize the affected victims into camps to ensure they receive the necessary assistance, as many were in danger of dying while waiting in queues for aid.
The flooding in Maiduguri, which is the worst in 30 years, has displaced hundreds of thousands and caused significant damage to infrastructure and property. As rescue efforts continue, the potential escape of Boko Haram leaders adds to the already dire situation in the state, which has been grappling with a 15-year insurgency led by the terrorist group.
