As Boko Haram Leaders Allegedly Escape Due to Floods – Gov Zulum
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In a significant victory against terrorism, Sani Wala Burki, a notorious terrorist leader responsible for attacks in the Safana and Batsari Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State, has been reportedly eliminated.
Burki and several of his associates were neutralized by security forces in a joint operation involving local vigilantes and the Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC). The operation took place on Thursday night when Burki and his group attempted another attack on civilians in Safana. In response, the vigilante groups mounted a coordinated defense and successfully engaged the armed group.
Local residents reported that the operation resulted in the deaths of Burki and several members of his gang. Burki had been a key figure in the attacks that had long terrorized Safana and Batsari LGAs, contributing to widespread fear and instability in the region.
In related news, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has indicated that some Boko Haram leaders may have escaped from a correctional facility in Maiduguri due to recent flooding in the state. The floods, which caused significant loss of life and property damage, also affected the old prison, leading to the evacuation of inmates to a new maximum-security prison.
A security source confirmed that some inmates were evacuated and there were reports of escapes. Governor Zulum expressed concern about the incident in an interview with the BBC, stating, “I’m worried, yes, I’m seriously worried.”
Despite these challenges, Governor Zulum highlighted the success of the Borno Model of Rehabilitation, which has led to the repentance of over 200,000 Boko Haram members and their families in the past two years. He noted, “The Borno Model of Rehabilitation has allowed many insurgents to repent. Over the last two years, over 200,000 Boko Haram members and their families have repented, contributing to the return of peace and stability in Borno State.”
Governor Zulum lamented the severe impact of the insurgency, citing the loss of over 300,000 lives, the destruction of thousands of classrooms, and damage to numerous facilities. He emphasized the need for additional support to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the floods, noting that current efforts are insufficient.
“There is no way we can provide food to millions of people in one or two hours. We have decided to retreat and organize ourselves. The only way to manage this is to ensure that the affected victims are resettled in camps. We will then provide support to the camps to prevent deaths from delays in receiving food and non-food items,” he said.
