How Ex-Boko Haram Fighter Emerged as Prison Official in Nigeria

Fresh facts have emerged on how an ex-Boko Haram fighter became an official of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS).

It was gathered that on February 18 this year, an alarm was raised at a correctional centre in Adamawa State.

A former Boko Haram fighter, Wilberforce Yohanna, was recruited as a staff of the Yola New Custodial Centre in the state.

Leaked internal documents on the security situation at the prison facility according to the report showed that Mr Yohanna’s Boko Haram background was detected following the dexterity he displayed with gun handling during training.

“While on training, he was found to be more versatile in the use and operations of firearms,” the leaked files obtained by Premium Times, revealed.

“Upon further interrogation and collaborative findings, he confessed to having been abducted and held hostage by members of Boko Haram for two years.”

The new prison official also confessed to having received training in heavy weapon handling from a Boko Haram base before he escaped their custody, according to the documents.