Boko Haram Leaders Do Not Originate From Borno

The leaders of the Islamist Boko Haram sect were not indigene of the state, and the problem of terrorism has been brought from outside, the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Garbai, declared on May 19, 2014, Monday.


The Shehu stated this during a meeting with the members of Presidential fact-finding committee on Chibok, who came to his palace for negotiations.

According to the statement by the spokesperson of the Committee, Kingsley Osadolor, Dr Abubakar Ibn Garbai has described the act of kidnapping for over 200 female students in Borno State more than one month ago as "unfortunate".

The Shehu further noted that Boko Haram members, who declared they were from Borno, were actually lying:

"They cannot claim to be from here. The problem was brought to us from elsewhere," he stated.

Dr Abubakar Ibn Garbai further emphasised that the people of Borno have peaceful nature and long history. He reminded that the Borno Empire exists for some 1,200 years.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Committee, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (rtd), agreed that Maiduguri used to be an important centre of the Trans-Sahara Trade. He expressed disappointment that rising insurgency is pushing the city and the region back in their development.

Gen. Sabo added that the committee had an open mind to the assignment:

"We are not here with preconceived notions. We are here to find facts that will lead to a resolution of the current hostage crisis involving the schoolgirls."

It would be recalled that President Jonathan set up the committee, consisting of 17 members, on May 2, 2014. The newly-formed body was inaugurated on May 6, amidst controversy. For instance, the renowned lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, rejected the appointment to it, while the All Progressives Congress wondered why the president waited for at least 17 days since the abduction of the girls before making the move and starting gathering of facts.