Nine soldiers detained over alleged links to Boko Haram escaped from a military guardroom in Maiduguri’s Maimalari Cantonment, with one recaptured as authorities intensify manhunt.
Nine soldiers have escaped from a military guardroom at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State, in what top sources described as a major security breach, according to SAHARA REPORTERS’ reporting.
Maimalari Cantonment, the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division, was the scene of the jailbreak which occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Monday. Most of the escaped soldiers were reportedly being held for alleged links to Boko Haram and involvement in arms trafficking to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
“There was a jailbreak on Monday around 0215 hours at the military Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State. Nine personnel detained mostly for dealing in arms running with terrorists escaped,” a source said. Another source confirmed that one fugitive had been recaptured, while efforts were ongoing to track the remaining eight. “It’s a very major security breach, imagine something like this happening inside a military barracks, so shameful,” the source added.
SaharaReporters previously reported former Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor (retd.), warning commanders to curb rising cases of personnel aiding terrorists. He cited recent arrests, including that of a soldier collaborating with a Boko Haram informant in Borno, as evidence of insider compromise undermining national security.
Military intelligence units have since intensified efforts to locate the escapees and prevent further internal sabotage.