There are indications that some Boko Haram leaders may have escaped from the correctional centre in Maiduguri, the state capital, due to the recent flood disaster in the state.

The flooding, which claimed lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, also damaged a part of the old prison, leading to the evacuation of inmates to a new maximum-security prison.

A security source revealed that some prison inmates were evacuated, and there were reports of some escaping.

In an interview with the BBC, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum expressed concern about the incident.

He said, “I’m worried, yes, I’m seriously worried.”

However, he also 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.

“You also have to bear in mind that Borno State Government has established what we call Borno Model of Rehabilitation that 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 return of peace and stability to Borno State,” he said.

Governor Zulum lamented the state’s challenging security situation, citing the devastating impact of the insurgency, which he said has claimed over 300,000 lives, destroyed thousands of classrooms, and hundreds of facilities.

He stressed the need for support in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the flood. According to him, the current efforts are “never enough.”

“There is no way we can provide food to millions of people in one or two hours. So, what we decided is to retreat and organise ourselves. The only way we can organise ourselves is to ensure that the affected victims are resettled in camps. Then we will take the support to the camps, otherwise many will die as a result of receiving food and non-food items in queues,” he said.