Some
kid suspects released by military authorities in Maiduguri on Friday said the
Boko Haram sect paid them N5,000 each to burn primary schools and spy on
soldiers.
They
were among 23 women and 35 children released to the governors of Borno and Yobe
states by the Commander, 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri, Brig-Gen. R.O
Bamigboye, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim.
The
children, whose ages range between nine and 15 years, said they were given kegs
of petrol by Boko Haram leaders and sent to burn schools in both states.
Borno
State Governor, Kashim Shettima, government officials and journalists listened
in bewilderment as the children narrated how they were used by the extremist
sect to burn schools and spy on soldiers.
One
of them said they were taken to the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, and told to
spy on soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force and report back to the Boko
Haram commanders.