Boko Haram Suspects
- Obiano, Ohanaeze youths protest
- Chibok girls forced to join sect
There was uncertainty monday over the status of 47 Boko Haram suspects alleged to have been relocated from detention centres in the North-east to Ekwulobia Prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State in the wee hours Sunday morning amid water tight security.
Whilst an official of the prison told THISDAY on the condition of anonymity yesterday that they arrived after midnight on Sunday, confirming THISDAY’s story yesterday that suspected Boko Haram prisoners of war (PoWs) had been moved to prisons nationwide, the headquarters of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) in Abuja denied their relocation.
The arrival of the prisoners, which was common knowledge among residents of the state who discussed the development in public places, created tension across Anambra.
The rumour of the planned relocation of the captured Boko Haram prisoners to the Ekwulobia Prisons had on Saturday sparked off protests in the state’s major cities of Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi and Ekwulobia crippling economic activities statewide with the attendant confusion everywhere.
Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. James Eze, had Sunday night issued a statement exonerating his boss, Chief Willie Obiano, of any complicity in the planned relocation of the Boko Haram prisoners to the state.
He frowned on what he called “mischievous speculation” in the social media that the planned relocation of the prisoners to Anambra prisons had the tacit approval and endorsement of his principal, saying it was to the contrary.
In a statement titled: “The Planned Relocation of Boko Haram Convicts to Anambra Prisons: Setting the Records Straight”, Eze said that on getting wind of the planned relocation of the high-risk prisoners to the state, Obiano quickly swung into action and contacted the relevant authorities to seek clarification on the matter, after which he raised several objections to the plan.
He said Obiano informed the authorities that “Ekwulobia Prisons is not a maximum security prison. It is therefore not suitable as a holding place for convicted terrorists. Global experience shows that terrorists and terror suspects are kept in strongly fortified and isolated places.
“A good example is the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp where the US keeps high-risk terror suspects and convicts which is a military facility, located away from the people.
“Ekwulobia Prisons does not fit into this category of detention facilities. The prisons has a capacity to hold 85 inmates. At the moment, there are 135 inmates in the prison. Therefore, there is no space for new prisoners. The acute shortage of space presents a high possibility for the radicalisation of other inmates by the Boko Haram convicts.
“Unlike other locations where the terror-convicts are held in sparsely populated areas which makes their isolation from the people easy, Ekwulobia is a densely populated town. There is a very high risk of contact between these radical prisoners and the civilian population with avoidable danger.
“The relocation of these prisoners to Anambra may not have paid adequate attention to the sensibilities of the country, especially the fact that some ethnic populations have suffered the most from the activities of these convicts across the North”.
The media aide said Obiano’s efforts to establish an understanding and achieve a speedy and peaceful resolution of the matter went to the highest authorities, adding that he was assured that the matter would be looked into with a view to resolving it with dispatch.
Similarly, the relocation of the Boko Haram PoWs to Anambra elicited a reaction from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), which called on the federal government to reverse the decision.
Similarly, the relocation of the Boko Haram PoWs to Anambra elicited a reaction from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), which called on the federal government to reverse the decision.
In a statement issued yesterday in Umuahia by the National President of OYC, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the body vehemently kicked against “exportation of terrorism to the peaceful South-east region”.
He wondered how “anybody would contemplate relocating terror suspects who had wreaked havoc in the North-east to the South-east which shares no geographical boundaries with the hotbed of Boko Haram”.
He said that relocating the terror suspects to any federal prison in the South-east would lead to exposing the region to terrorist attacks.
To buttress their fear, the Ohanaeze youths recalled that some prison facilities in the North including Abuja “with their sophistication” had severally come under attack by Boko Haram in their desperation to free their members detained in such facilities.
To buttress their fear, the Ohanaeze youths recalled that some prison facilities in the North including Abuja “with their sophistication” had severally come under attack by Boko Haram in their desperation to free their members detained in such facilities.
“Ohanaeze wants to warn the federal government to rescind the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to an Anambra prison,” the statement said.
The OYC national president further stated that the move to bring terror suspects to South-east was done in bad faith, “hence we view such move as a declaration of war on the peaceful and law abiding people of the South-east, and we will vigorously resist any step considered injurious to Ndigbo”.
“The federal government should not export terrorism to Igboland the way Patrick Sawyer exported Ebola to Nigeria because we don't deserve such treatment,” the youths warned.
The group noted that there was a grand design by the powers that be to exploit the federal system of government to the detriment of the South-east but “we will not tolerate any move, policy or action that will make the South-east the target of Boko Haram terrorists who have ruined some Northern states”.
OYC advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to be deceived into taking any action that would portray him as tribalist, in view of the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria.
”That we voted massively for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who lost election does not mean that we should be treated as prisoners of war.
“We are equal stakeholders in Nigeria and nobody should try to push us to the wall or take our patience and inestimable sacrifices for the unity of Nigeria as foolishness or sign of weakness.
“Igboland which enjoyed peace and stability under ex-President Jonathan should not be made porous or exposed to terror attacks under the current administration,” the statement said.
However, when contacted, the NPS in Abuja dismissed the claim that Boko Haram prisoners had been transferred to the Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State, stating that it was “logistically impracticable and legally challenging to transfer Boko Haram suspects to the South-east”.
Speaking to THISDAY, the Public Relations Officer of NPS, Francis Ebohon, said the Ekwulobia Prisons is purposely built for convicted criminals and not for suspects awaiting trial, “particularly Boko Haram suspects”.
“It is logistically impracticable and legally challenging to transfer Boko Haram suspects to the South-east since they can only be tried close to the place they committed the office, which is the North-east.
“The arrangement with NPS was that only terrorists who have been tried and convicted by a competent court of law can be transferred to our custody,” he said.
Despite the denial, another source in the NPS, disclosed that there was already an arrangement in place to transfer Boko Haram convicts and repentants to an undisclosed location in the South-east for proper rehabilitation.
He said the plan and choice of the South-east and other undisclosed locations far away from the epicentre of the insurgency in the North was meant to ensure that convicted and repentant sect members are prevented from accessing the environment where they might be re-indoctrinated or could regroup to escape.
He revealed that the special rehabilitation centre is located between Enugu and Anambra States, adding: “You know there is a rehabilitation programme for reprentant Boko Haram members and those who were indoctrinated, even the convicts.
“So the perfect plan is to ensure that they are not located in an environment close to where they can be re-indoctrinated or escape.”
Meanwhile, a BBC report has claimed that some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school last year have been forced to join Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, a BBC report has claimed that some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school last year have been forced to join Boko Haram.
Witnesses alleged that some are now being used to terrorise other captives, and are even carrying out killings themselves.
According to the BBC, the testimony could not be verified but Amnesty International said other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been forced to fight.
According to the BBC, the testimony could not be verified but Amnesty International said other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been forced to fight.
Two-hundred-and-nineteen schoolgirls from Chibok are still missing, more than a year after they were kidnapped from their school in Borno State. Many of those seized are Christians.
Three women who claim they were held in the same camps as some of the Chibok girls have told the BBC’s Panorama programme that some of them have been brainwashed and are now carrying out punishments on behalf of the militants.
Seventeen-year-old Miriam (not her real name) fled Boko Haram after being held for six months. She was forced to marry a militant, and is now pregnant with his child.
Recounting her first days in the camp she said: “They told to us get ready, that they were going to marry us off.” She and four others refused.
“They came back with four men, they slit their throats in front of us. They then said that this will happen to any girl that refuses to get married.”
Faced with that choice, she agreed to marry, and was then repeatedly raped.
“There was so much pain,” she said. "I was only there in body… I couldn't do anything about it.”
“There was so much pain,” she said. "I was only there in body… I couldn't do anything about it.”
While in captivity, Miriam described meeting some of the Chibok schoolgirls. She said they were kept in a separate house from the other captives.
“They told us: ‘You women should learn from your husbands because they are giving their blood for the cause. We must also go to war for Allah.’”
She said the girls had been “brainwashed” and that she had witnessed some of them kill several men in her village.
“They were Christian men. They (the Boko Haram fighters) forced the Christians to lie down. Then the girls cut their throats.”
She said the girls had been “brainwashed” and that she had witnessed some of them kill several men in her village.
“They were Christian men. They (the Boko Haram fighters) forced the Christians to lie down. Then the girls cut their throats.”
It was not possible to independently verify Miriam’s claims. But human rights group Amnesty International said their research also shows that some girls abducted by Boko Haram have been trained to fight.
“The abduction and brutalisation of young women and girls seems to be part of the modus operandi of Boko Haram,” said Netsanet Belay, Africa director, research and advocacy at Amnesty International.
The Chibok schoolgirls have not been seen since last May when Boko Haram released a video of around 130 of them gathered together reciting the Koran. They looked terrified.
Amnesty International estimates more than 2,000 girls have been taken since the start of 2014. But it was the attack on the school in Chibok that sparked international outrage.
Michelle Obama made a rousing speech a few weeks after their abduction, demanding the girls’ return.
Millions of people showed their support for the #bringbackourgirls campaign. The hashtag was shared more than five million times.
Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic State in the region, but it has recently been pushed back by a military force from Nigeria and its neighbours. Hundreds of women and girls have managed to escape during these raids.
Millions of people showed their support for the #bringbackourgirls campaign. The hashtag was shared more than five million times.
Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic State in the region, but it has recently been pushed back by a military force from Nigeria and its neighbours. Hundreds of women and girls have managed to escape during these raids.
Anna, aged 60, is one of them. She fled a camp in the Sambisa forest in December where she was held for five months. She now sits beneath a tree close to the cathedral in the Adamawa State capital of Yola. Her only possessions are the clothes she ran away in.
She said she saw some of the Chibok schoolgirls just before she fled the forest. “They had guns,” she said.
She said she saw some of the Chibok schoolgirls just before she fled the forest. “They had guns,” she said.
When pressed on how she could be sure that it was the Chibok schoolgirls that she’d seen, Anna said: “They (Boko Haram) didn’t hide them. They told us: ‘These are your teachers from Chibok.’
“They shared the girls out as teachers to teach different groups of women and girls to recite the Koran,” Anna recalled.
“Young girls who couldn't recite were being flogged by the Chibok girls.”
“Young girls who couldn't recite were being flogged by the Chibok girls.”
Miriam, Anna also said she had seen some of the Chibok schoolgirls commit murder.
“People were tied and laid down and the girls took it from there… The Chibok girls slit their throats,” said Anna.
Anna said she felt no malice towards the girls she had seen taking part in the violence, only pity.
“People were tied and laid down and the girls took it from there… The Chibok girls slit their throats,” said Anna.
Anna said she felt no malice towards the girls she had seen taking part in the violence, only pity.
“It’s not their fault they were forced to do it,” she added. “Anyone who sees the Chibok girls has to feel sorry for them.”
Exposing women to extreme violence seemed to be a strategy used by Boko Haram to strip them of their identity and humanity, so they could be forced to accept the militants’ ideology.
Exposing women to extreme violence seemed to be a strategy used by Boko Haram to strip them of their identity and humanity, so they could be forced to accept the militants’ ideology.
Faith (not her real name), aged 16, who is Christian, described how Boko Haram fighters tried to force her to convert to their version of Islam.
“Every day at dawn they would come and throw water over us and order us to wake up and start praying.”
“Then one day they brought in a man wearing uniform. They made us all line up and then said to me: ‘Because you are always crying, you will must kill this man.’
“Then one day they brought in a man wearing uniform. They made us all line up and then said to me: ‘Because you are always crying, you will must kill this man.’
“I was given the knife and ordered to cut his neck. I said I couldn’t do it.
“They cut his throat in front of me. That’s when I passed out."
Faith said she had seen at least one Chibok schoolgirl who had been married off to a Boko Haram militant during her four months in captivity.
“They cut his throat in front of me. That’s when I passed out."
Faith said she had seen at least one Chibok schoolgirl who had been married off to a Boko Haram militant during her four months in captivity.
“She was just like any of the Boko Haram wives,” she explained. “We are more scared of the wives than the husbands.”
With hundreds of women and children recently rescued from Boko Haram strongholds in the Sambisa forest, the Nigerian government has set up a programme to help escapees.
With hundreds of women and children recently rescued from Boko Haram strongholds in the Sambisa forest, the Nigerian government has set up a programme to help escapees.
Many fled captivity, only to discover that some or all of their family members had been killed by Boko Haram. Others have been cast out from their communities, who now consider them “Boko Haram wives”.
Dr. Fatima Akilu is in charge of Nigeria's counter-violence and extremism programme. She is currently looking after around 300 of the recently rescued women and children.
Dr. Fatima Akilu is in charge of Nigeria's counter-violence and extremism programme. She is currently looking after around 300 of the recently rescued women and children.
“We have not seen signs of radicalisation,” she told us. “But if it did occur we would not be surprised.”
She added: “In situations where people have been held, there have been lots of stories where they have identified with their captors.”
Dr. Akilu said beatings, torture, rape, forced marriages and pregnancies were common in Boko Haram camps.
“We have a team of imams… that are trained to look out for radical ideas and ideology.
“Recovery is going to be slow, it’s going to be long… It’s going to be bumpy.”
She added: “In situations where people have been held, there have been lots of stories where they have identified with their captors.”
Dr. Akilu said beatings, torture, rape, forced marriages and pregnancies were common in Boko Haram camps.
“We have a team of imams… that are trained to look out for radical ideas and ideology.
“Recovery is going to be slow, it’s going to be long… It’s going to be bumpy.”
As the hunt for the Chibok schoolgirls continues, and questions are raised about what state they will be in if they ever return home, those who have managed to escape are beginning the mammoth task of coming to terms with their experiences.
“I can’t get the images out of my head,” said Anna, breaking down in tears. “I see people being slaughtered. I just pray that the nightmares don't return.”
“I can’t get the images out of my head,” said Anna, breaking down in tears. “I see people being slaughtered. I just pray that the nightmares don't return.”
For others, the nightmare is continuing every day. Miriam is expecting her baby any day now.
“I hope that the baby is a girl,” she said. “I would love her more than any boy. I’m scared of having a boy.”
“I hope that the baby is a girl,” she said. “I would love her more than any boy. I’m scared of having a boy.”
Miriam’s future is bleak. She is terrified her “husband” will find her and kill her for running away. Her community has also rejected her.
“People consider me an outcast,” she said. “They remind me that I have Boko Haram inside me.”
“People consider me an outcast,” she said. “They remind me that I have Boko Haram inside me.”
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