The Borno State government has declared that the influence of individuals with Boko Haram ideology, especially the founding members, has significantly diminished, with over 95% either killed or surrendered.
Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the Borno State Government on Security Affairs, revealed this development during an interview with journalists in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi stated that the leadership of the insurgent group is in disarray, with only a few founding members possibly still alive. He attributed the decline in their numbers to internal power struggles and military actions.
He elaborated, “One of their leaders said out of 300 of them that started the Boko Haram sect in pre-2009, less than 10 people could be alive now. Even the remaining 10 leaders have scattered due to the game of powers.”
The retired general highlighted various causes of death among the insurgents, including military operations, infighting, and environmental hazards like snake bites and drowning during rainy seasons. He also cited the significant surrender of fighters in recent years as a factor in reducing their numbers.
Abdullahi emphasized that the current individuals involved in violent activities attributed to Boko Haram lack the ideological commitment that characterized the group’s early years. He described them as criminals without genuine ideological motivations.
The assertion by the Borno State government underscores the ongoing efforts to combat insurgency in the region and suggests a substantial decline in the influence of Boko Haram ideology.
