By Ijeoma Wilfred
The Police Command in Borno State has arrested four persons who allegedly attempted to burn the Mafa IDP camp in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
Parading the suspects, the Spokesman of the command,ASP Nahum Daso, identified those arrested as Malum Usman, 16; Bulama Bukar, 14; and Rawa Usman, 11; as well as their alleged sponsor, Babagana Umar, 40.
Daso said, “On the 24th March 2024 at about 10:30am, hunters group of Mafa reported to Mafa division of the police with 3 suspects Malum Usman 16yrs, Bulama Bukar 14yrs, Rawa Usman 11yrs all of Mafa IDP camp that suspects were arrested with matches while trying to set a house ablaze in the camp.
“Preliminary investigation further revealed that the trio were sponsored by one Babagana Umar a firewood seller at Muna garage area Maiduguri who contracted them to commit the act at the rate of N10,000 the case is under investigation,” he revealed further.
However,the alleged sponsor, Umar, denied being part of the crime.
He said “I was arrested while saying my prayers in the Mosque, This is a mischief against me. I am yet to even imagine.
“When I was arrested, because I knew I have never imagined attempting to set the Mafa camp ablaze, I proposed to swear by the Holy Quran to prove my innocence; I was not allowed,”
The arrest comes four days after the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, alleged that there is a grand conspiracy involving some NGOs against the state.
Borno ,a state in the North East has a history of Boko Haram and ISWAP activities resulting in destruction of homes, kidnapping,killing and maiming innocent citizens.
For that reason,camps for Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP’s) were built to give succour to people affected by activities of the terrorist groups.
