Victor EzejaBorno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has expressed worry over reports that some Boko Haram leaders may have escaped from prison during flooding in Maiduguri, the state capital last week.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Service (BBC), over the impact of the flood, Zulum admitted being worried about the alleged escape of some Boko leaders from prison.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa had reported that the flood which affected a significant part of Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State last week, was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about 10 kilometers from Maiduguri city centre owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.
The incident led to destruction of properties worth millions of naira as communities and business centres were submerged in water.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), not less than 30 persons have died due to the flood while over 400,000 have been displaced.
READ ALSO: Maiduguri Flood Claims 30 Lives, Displaces Over 400,000
There were also reports that some prison inmates were evacuated and that some of them escaped due to the flooding which led to collapse of some structures in the Maiduguri medium security custodial centre. At least 286 inmates allegedly escaped.
When asked if he was worried that some Boko Haram leaders could have seized the opportunity to escape from prison, Zulum said: “I’m worried, yes, I’m seriously worried.”
He however stated that within the last two years, over 200,000 Boko Haram members who under went rehabilitation programme set up by the Borno State Government have repented and reunited with their families, which has yielded results in reducing insurgency and ensuring the return of peace and stability to the state.
“But you also have to bear in mind that the Borno State Government has established what we call the Borno Model of Rehabilitation which has allowed many insurgents to repent.
“Within the last two years, over 200,000 Boko Haram members and their families have repented and I think, this has also yielded positive results in ensuring the return of peace and stability to Borno State,” Zulum told the BBC News Africa.
The Borno governor had in an earlier interview when he visited Bakassi IDP Camp last week, said over one million people have been affected by the flood disaster.
READ ALSO: Maiduguri Flood: Many Still Trapped As NEMA, Military Step Up Rescue Operations
Babagana Zulum said half of the state capital, Maiduguri, was under water and thousands of people were desperately in need of food and shelter.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
