Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has shared shocking revelations from his discussion with Sheikh Ahmad Gumi following the cleric’s visit to Boko Haram strongholds in the Sambisa Forest.
According to Obasanjo, Sheikh Gumi revealed that some of the Boko Haram fighters he encountered were boys under the age of 15, armed and under the influence of hard substances, claiming they had spiritually and physically fortified themselves within the dense forest.
“I met with Sheikh Gumi during my tenure after he visited the Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest. He told me that some of the boys were under 15 years old, holding weapons, influenced by hard substances, and claiming they had fortified themselves.
He also said that if any security personnel claimed they had gone into the area, they were not telling the truth,” Obasanjo stated.
The former president added that Gumi’s account highlights the immense challenges facing security agencies in confronting the insurgents.
Some Boko Haram members are reportedly very young, raising serious concerns about the recruitment and radicalization of children.
Many of the fighters are said to be under the influence of hard substances, making them unpredictable and extremely difficult to negotiate with.
According to Obasanjo, claims by security personnel that they have penetrated the most dangerous parts of the forest are likely exaggerated or entirely false, underscoring how inaccessible and fortified those areas truly are.
Obasanjo’s remarks shed light on the complex and dire reality of the fight against Boko Haram, especially at a time when insecurity and kidnappings continue to spread across different regions of the country.
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“I met with Sheikh Gumi during my tenure after he visited the Bøko Haram terrørists in Sambisa forest. He told me that some of the boys were under 15 years old, holding weapons, influenced by hard substances, and claiming they had fortified themselves. He also said that if any… pic.twitter.com/WgHI3IYwl9
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