BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, OCTOBER 10, 2024/ 11:30PM
The Borno State Government has dismissed reports claiming that 13 repentant Boko Haram insurgents escaped with rifles and motorcycles provided by the state government.
In a statement on Thursday, Prof. Usman Tar, commissioner of information and internal security, described the reports as inaccurate and misleading.
He confirmed that only six repentant insurgents escaped.
Prof. Tar emphasized that the escapees were unarmed and are being tracked down.
He clarified that preliminary investigations revealed no evidence of the escapees taking government arms.
According to him, terrorists and other violent non-state actors have historically acquired weapons from various subterranean sources, which they use in their propaganda videos.
'Therefore, seeing weapons in such videos does not imply they belong to the government,' he said.
The commissioner explained that the six individuals are part of a larger group of over 20,000 repentant militants documented and processed under the Borno Model of Reconciliation, Peacebuilding and Development.
He cautioned against spreading terrorist propaganda and urged citizens and stakeholders to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The commissioner reassured that the state government remains committed to restoring peace and security across Borno State.