Nigeria: “Our Sect Has Nothing To Do With Islam”, Captured Boko Haram Member Says

A Boko Haram member, captured on October 6, says the sect has little to nothing with Islam, but is rather focused on armed banditry, looting and killings.

Malam Bukar Modu, apprehended after the Boko Haram insurgents attacked Muslim worshippers in Damboa, Borno, was speaking in Maiduguri on Saturday.

"We went on a mission to attack people in Damboa on Oct. 6, a few days to the last Sallah celebration," the man narrates. "We shot many people, but I was also shot in the leg during the operation; I later became unconscious.

"My people took me away at the end of the operation, but they decided to dump me in a nearby bush because they thought I was dead. I regained my consciousness in the morning before I was apprehended by security agents, who provided food for me and took care of my bullet wounds."

Modu said he was recruited into the sect about a year ago by his cousin, who gradually became "uncomfortable" with Modu being outside the sect and knowing the secrets. So he gave Modu two options, either to join the sect, or be killed.

The Boko Haram member said that, upon joining the sect, he was given an "express training" on the handling of AK 47 rifle.

"We were always given orders to attack individuals without questioning until we finally relocated to Marte in Marte Local Government Area of Borno during the middle of this year," he said.

Modu said that his group comprised about 150 militants, who took refuge in a nearby bush after the military invasion of Marte camp.

"We were kept in the bush by our commanders; sometimes, we survived on filthy water because we did not have access to safe water and we barely had something to eat," he said.

Modu said that most of the "foot soldiers" of the Boko Haram sect had wanted to abscond but they could not do so because of the fear of being caught and executed.

"Our commanders usually conduct roll-calls on a daily basis to prevent anybody from running away; once you are caught, the penalty is death," he said.

Modu said that many "foot soldiers," who tried to escape at the camp, were summarily executed.

"Any time we carry out an attack in a place, we steal food, drugs, money and everything we need.

"Sometimes, I feel guilty of committing crimes against God but our commanders always tell us that it is God's work that we are doing.

"It is a terrible thing to be a member of the sect but many foot soldiers like me cannot leave for fear of being killed," Modu added.
::Union Paradise®