Borno Govt Raises Alarm Over Prostitution Among Freed Boko Haram Captives

The Borno State Commissioner For Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, has raised an alarm over the influx of prostitution among Boko Haram captives.

He shared his concern during a courtesy visit by Hamsatu Allamin, the CEO of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, on Friday in Maiduguri.

The Commissioner highlighted that some of the freed victims were exposed to sexual exploitation due to their vulnerability during captivity by the terrorists.

Allamin noted that prostitution is especially prevalent in the local government areas of Bama, Banki, and Gwoza. He shared a distressing encounter with an 11-year-old girl, surrounded by three other children, which he described as heartbreaking. He also mentioned that Cameroonian authorities had recently repatriated young girls, aged 13 to 15, who had multiple children.

Wakilbe emphasized the urgent need for reintegration and support for these vulnerable individuals, pointing out that the widespread sexual abuse could be attributed to poverty and the lack of viable survival alternatives.

In other news, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the explosion attack at Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Borno State.

Naija News reported that suspected Boko Haram terrorist members attacked the Police Division, leading to the death of some officers.

In a statement from the Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Inspector General of Police, commended the gallantry of personnel who dispelled the attacks.

In a resolute response to the recent explosion attack at Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters, Borno State, on 9th January 2025, at about 12.10 am, which led to the death of two police officers, Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapha Huzaifat, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has condemned the attack and ordered an immediate and thorough clampdown on the perpetrators as any cop-killers will go unpunished.

“The IGP expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased officers, affirming that their sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten, as their benefits and entitlements will be immediately paid to their families,” he said.

Egbetokun further ordered the Zone 15 Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, to mobilize and fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

“The IGP has therefore directed the Zone 15 Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, to mobilize adequate resources and personnel, collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the perpetrators of this nefarious act are found and caused to face the full wrath of the law,” he stated.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to holding accountable those who jeopardize and disrupt Nigeria’s security arrangements and safety.