Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has voiced serious concerns over the possible escape of jailed Boko Haram leaders after floods devastated parts of Maiduguri, including the Maiduguri correctional facility.
The floods were triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, marking the worst flooding event in the region in 30 years.
The disaster has displaced over 400,000 residents, claimed more than 30 lives, and raised fears that more than 200 inmates, including members of the Boko Haram insurgent group, may have escaped.
A report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, suggested that the severe flooding created an opportunity for the inmates to flee.
Speaking recently in an interview, Governor Zulum expressed deep worry about the situation, stating, “I’m worried.
Yes, I’m seriously worried,” when asked about the potential insurgent escape. The governor also highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to over two million people affected by the disaster.
Governor Zulum pointed out the Borno government’s continued efforts to reintegrate former Boko Haram members through its “Borno model of rehabilitation,” which has seen more than 200,000 insurgents and their families repent and reintegrate into society over the last two years.
He also criticized the federal Ministry of Water Resources for neglecting the maintenance of the Alau Dam, a key factor in the disaster, alongside the heavy rainfall experienced in recent weeks.
