On Friday, Borno State Police paraded Baba-Goni Mohammed Ibrahim, a repentant Boko Haram fighter, for stealing. The Commissioner of Police, Abdu Umar, stated that some ex-insurgents resort to criminal activities under the guise of being jobless.
Ibrahim was arrested for stealing eight wrappers and assorted clothing items belonging to Hajiya Lami, his employer, at Mashidmari ward in Maiduguri. Although Ibrahim repented from terrorism three years ago, he was accused of working for Lami as a house help but not receiving payment for his services.
In his defence, Ibrahim claimed he could not recall when Lami actually employed him but stated that he had worked for over four months without wages. In compensation for the salary owed to him, he took eight wrappers from Lami’s possessions.
The police commissioner further revealed that the 110 suspects who were apprehended for various crimes, ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping, would be properly investigated before being charged to court.
This incident highlights growing concerns regarding employment opportunities for repentant Boko Haram fighters, as some are unable to secure legitimate jobs and resort to crime. It is vital to provide alternative means of livelihood for those who renounce their terrorist affiliations, to prevent them from returning to violence.
