INQUIRY: Details of how ex-Boko Haram fighter became in charge of Nigerian prison
On February 18 this year, an alarm was raised at a correctional facility in Adamawa State. A former Boko Haram fighter, Wilberforce Yohanna, had just been recruited as a staff member at the Yola New Custodial Center in the state.
Leaked internal documents on the security situation in the penal establishment showed that the Boko Haram origin of Mr. Yohann was detected following the dexterity he demonstrated in the handling of firearms during the training.
"During his training, he proved to be more versatile in the use and operation of firearms," the leaked files obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed. "After further interrogation and collaborative findings, he confessed to being abducted and held hostage by members of Boko Haram for two (2) years."
The new prison official also confessed to having undergone training in the handling of heavy weapons at a Boko Haram base before his escape, according to the documents.
It is unclear if Mr. Yohann's claim that he fought for Boko Haram against his will is true or if he simply tried to play down his past. Authorities have so far failed to launch the investigation necessary to examine the prison official's complaint and determine his true past.
What is clear, however, is that Mr. Yohann was a deadly fighter in the terrorist group Boko Haram and the implications of his recruitment into one of the country's security services should have been widely considered.< /p>
Although Correctional Service authorities are concerned about the recruitment of an ex-terrorist, they are unwilling – or unsure – to do anything about Mr. Yohann's case to avoid attracting the negative media attention, insiders familiar with the matter said.
Asked whether the ex-terrorist had been profiled prior to his recruitment, our insiders said bribery and corruption had compromised the standard of scrutiny within of the correctional service.
Insiders said that a good number of candidates pay bribes to obtain correctional service placements without going through rigorous screening.
“Usually vetting has to be done before recruitment, but in corrections little or no vetting is done,” a senior prison official, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES because he is not authorized to divulge such information. . “People pay for jobs and receive their hiring letters at home. Level 8 is sold for 800k, level 4-7 for 400k.”
The ex-Boko Haram fighter and the fear in the atmosphereWhen authorities discovered Mr. Yohann was a former member of the violent Boko Haram group with rare expertise in handling firearms, palpable fear and anxiety immediately swept through the prison facility, officials said. insiders.
Officials, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES but asked not to be identified by name, said poor recruiting exercises allowed Mr. Yohann to enter the correctional service staff, making the prison facilities vulnerable to attacks and escapes.
This, officials say, is because "evil planners can easily find compromised, corrupt, or double-dealing corrections officers to help 'their mission from within.'
The invasion of Kuje Boko HaramOn Wednesday, heavily armed men attacked Kuje prison in Nigeria's federal capital, freeing more than 64 Boko Haram inmates from the facilities.
On February 18 this year, an alarm was raised at a correctional facility in Adamawa State. A former Boko Haram fighter, Wilberforce Yohanna, had just been recruited as a staff member at the Yola New Custodial Center in the state.
Leaked internal documents on the security situation in the penal establishment showed that the Boko Haram origin of Mr. Yohann was detected following the dexterity he demonstrated in the handling of firearms during the training.
"During his training, he proved to be more versatile in the use and operation of firearms," the leaked files obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed. "After further interrogation and collaborative findings, he confessed to being abducted and held hostage by members of Boko Haram for two (2) years."
The new prison official also confessed to having undergone training in the handling of heavy weapons at a Boko Haram base before his escape, according to the documents.
It is unclear if Mr. Yohann's claim that he fought for Boko Haram against his will is true or if he simply tried to play down his past. Authorities have so far failed to launch the investigation necessary to examine the prison official's complaint and determine his true past.
What is clear, however, is that Mr. Yohann was a deadly fighter in the terrorist group Boko Haram and the implications of his recruitment into one of the country's security services should have been widely considered.< /p>
Although Correctional Service authorities are concerned about the recruitment of an ex-terrorist, they are unwilling – or unsure – to do anything about Mr. Yohann's case to avoid attracting the negative media attention, insiders familiar with the matter said.
Asked whether the ex-terrorist had been profiled prior to his recruitment, our insiders said bribery and corruption had compromised the standard of scrutiny within of the correctional service.
Insiders said that a good number of candidates pay bribes to obtain correctional service placements without going through rigorous screening.
“Usually vetting has to be done before recruitment, but in corrections little or no vetting is done,” a senior prison official, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES because he is not authorized to divulge such information. . “People pay for jobs and receive their hiring letters at home. Level 8 is sold for 800k, level 4-7 for 400k.”
The ex-Boko Haram fighter and the fear in the atmosphereWhen authorities discovered Mr. Yohann was a former member of the violent Boko Haram group with rare expertise in handling firearms, palpable fear and anxiety immediately swept through the prison facility, officials said. insiders.
Officials, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES but asked not to be identified by name, said poor recruiting exercises allowed Mr. Yohann to enter the correctional service staff, making the prison facilities vulnerable to attacks and escapes.
This, officials say, is because "evil planners can easily find compromised, corrupt, or double-dealing corrections officers to help 'their mission from within.'
The invasion of Kuje Boko HaramOn Wednesday, heavily armed men attacked Kuje prison in Nigeria's federal capital, freeing more than 64 Boko Haram inmates from the facilities.
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