Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has voiced serious concerns regarding reports that Boko Haram terrorists may have escaped from the Maiduguri correctional center following devastating floods earlier this week. The floods, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, have been described as the worst in the region in 30 years.
The disaster has displaced over 400,000 residents and resulted in more than 30 fatalities, raising fears that at least 200 inmates, including Boko Haram members, may have taken advantage of the situation to flee the facility. A report from Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, indicated that the severe flooding created conditions conducive for the inmates' escape.
In an interview with BBC News, Governor Zulum expressed his worries, stating, "I'm worried. Yes, I'm seriously worried," when asked about the potential for escaped insurgents. He also mentioned that his administration has started providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the disaster, which has impacted over two million individuals across the state.
Additionally, Zulum emphasized the Borno government's ongoing efforts to reintegrate former Boko Haram members through its "Borno model of rehabilitation." Over the past two years, more than 200,000 insurgents and their families have reportedly renounced violence and been reintegrated into society, aiding in the restoration of peace and stability in the region.