By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Ministry of Information and Internal Security Borno State said it has received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some NGOs to set IDP camps on fire in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued Sunday and signed by the information and Internal Security Ministry’s commissioner, Prof. Usman Tar, and made available to newsmen.
The release added that “Borno State Government has received Situation Reports (SITREPs) from reliable sources regarding suspected cases of fire outbreaks in some IDP camps within the State”.
It noted that the recent rise in frequency of infernos in IDP camps has been a matter of concerned, and all hands “are on deck to forestall any further occurrence of fire outbreaks in the State”.
“The Government has been investigating the occurrence of the infernos on a case-by-case basis, with a view to establishing the remote and extant causes, and developing a strategy to stem future occurrence”, it stated.
According to the release “On 29th March 2024, the Ministry of Information and Internal Security received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some NGOs (names withheld) to set IDP camps on fire.
“This matter is under investigation and further necessary action shall only be taken on the basis of the outcome of the investigation. Those arrested are in detention undergoing intensive interrogation, while the NGOs who were pinpointed in the alleged violent practice have been summoned for preliminary interrogation.
“The Government assures members of the public that this matter will receive appropriate and expedited attention, and any culprit will be dealt with according to the law”, the release stated.
“Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to be calm, peaceful and law-abiding, saying any breach of security should be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency or traditional rulers for transmission to the relevant authority. End
