CONFESSION OF A BOKO HARAM SUSPECT

A suspected Boko Haram member who was injured in a shootout with the joint military task force has confessed that members of the sect were living a hellish life in the bushes but are afraid to denounce the sect for fear of been slaughtered like a common goat.

“SOMETIMES, I feel guilty of committing crimes against God. But our commanders always tell us that it is God’s work that we are doing. It is a terrible thing to be a member of the sect, but many foot soldiers of Boko Haram like me, cannot leave for fear of being killed.”

The suspect, who the military in Borno State, for security reasons, simply called Omar, told journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital says that hundreds of some of the recruited fighters, including those who had been with the sect for long, were itching to lay down their arms and embrace peace, but for the fear of being hunted and killed by their leaders.

‘I was forced into sect with threat of death’ Speaking at the Brigadier Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Boko Haram fighter said he was forced into joining the group by his elder brother,

 According to Omar, who confessed to have seen the weapons brought home by his late brother, the sect threatened to kill him and other members of his family, if security operatives got to know that he had seen his brother hiding weapons in their house. He went on further to state that his brother had since been killed in one of the operations.

Explaining how he was arrested in Damboa town, Damboa Local Government Area of the state, during a foiled attack on the local government, the suspect said: “During the attack, I was shot in the leg and my people carried me, because we do not leave our wounded behind. However, while running away from the military, they thought I had given up the ghost and there was no time for burial; thus, they left me in the bush and ran away.

“But after a while, I regained consciousness and dragged myself close to town where some children saw me and ran to report to the elders who subsequently informed the police and I was arrested.

“I was later handed over to the soldiers who brought me to Maiduguri for questioning. I was also told by the soldiers that based on my confession, I would be asked to speak with reporters. Omar also stated that head counts are carried out in the bushes either weekly or bi weekly and any one not found will be hunted and slaughtered.

Source: Nigerian Tribune