Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has revealed that the internally displaced persons, IDPs, are being recruited by Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking in an interview with the Hausa Service of BBC, the Governor noted that his government has been able to return displaced persons to Mafa and Kukawa, adding that plans were being made to return some of them to Kawuri.
He also stated that the Boko Haram sect is working on people to join them and it’s frightening because the IDPs are tired and bored of staying in the camps and would be forced to join them.
“Truly, the Boko Haram sect is working on people to join them. This is frightening. If the IDPs living in camps could not get what they are looking for, especially the opportunity to go back to their various towns and return to farm, they may be forced to join the Boko Haram sect.
“It is important that they go back to their various towns because no government can continue to be feeding them continuously.
“The sect members are hiding at the Lake Chad area and the Sambisa forest.
“There will still be problems unless they are traced to their hiding places.
“Chasing them away from their headquarters is one of the solutions towards ending insurgency,” he said.
He further explained that the best way to end Boko Haram is ensuring a good relationship between the military and civilians.
According to him, the military are doing their best in the fight against insurgency.
“One surest way to end Boko Haram is ensuring a good relationship between the military and civilians.
“I keep on saying wherever you go; you will see the military and vigilante together.
“But what I am saying is that the military should provide protection to the civilians to enable them return home and go back to their farms,” he added.
