Four persons were arrested by the Borno State Police Command in line with an attempt to burn the Mafa IDP camp in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
The arrested persons are, Malum Usman, 16; Bulama Bukar, 14; and Rawa Usman, 11; as well as their alleged sponsor, Babagana Umar, 40.
In previous times they have been records of growing frequency of IDP camp infernos in the state, causing the state government to make vow to get the persons behind such act arrested and make them face the law.
On Sunday, March 31, Prof. Usman Tar, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, had emphasize on the matter in a statement, claiming a grand conspiracy involving some NGOs.
However, parading the suspects in Maiduguri, on Thursday, the state command’s spokesman, ASP Nahum Daso, did not mention any NGO for sponsoring the act.
“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,” Daso explained.
“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.
Umar who was accused to be an alleged sponsor, denied sponsoring the youngsters to perpetrate the crime.
“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,” he said.
