A top Boko Haram commander, identified as Auwal Ismaeela, who has surrendered, has confessed to leading the squads that abducted the Chibok school girls in 2014.
According to Ismaeela, he is tired of the “senseless” atrocities of the insurgent group, hence his decision to surrender.
The Boko Haram commander expressed regrets over his actions and said he is now cooperating with the Nigerian military with information on locations and hideouts of other top commanders of the terror gang.
He said he was “brainwashed and misled” to abduct and kill people, adding that he can no longer stand the atrocities “contrary to the teachings of Islam” which were being carried out by the insurgents.
“Myself and Abu Hafsat, a Boko Haram commander, led other squads to abduct the Chibok (school) girls,” he said.
“We led the operations to invade Gwoza, Bama, Limankara mobile barrack, Bita, Bosso, Madagali, Chibok, Pulka, Firgi, and Mubi.
“In Madagali, which is my home town, myself, Adam Vitiri, Abu Adam and Habu Kudama, some high ranking Boko Haram commanders led an operation in 2014 where we killed some students and youths at the Central Secondary School in Sabon Garin, Madagali.
“In one of the operations, I abducted (the girl who later became) my wife named Maryam, and she had two kids for me in Sambisa Forest.
“It is unfortunate that I was brainwashed and misled not only on some abductions but in the killings of my own people that were innocent. I wholeheartedly regret my actions.
“During a battle in Konduga where myself and other Boko Haram commanders led the operations, I lost my right leg and was almost burnt. Even at that, I did not stop fighting for the course. Sheikh Shekau ordered that I should be given a tricycle which I continued to use for various operations before I eventually surrendered.
“I willingly surrendered to the military because I was tired of the senseless killings and fight. I realised that our people have resorted to stealing and all sorts of atrocities contrary to the teachings and practice of Islam.
“Women were being raped, sometimes publicly. Children died from malnutrition and disease as the living condition became harsher. As there was no food in the camp, people died every day as a result of hunger.
“I will continue to cooperate with the security agencies in providing useful information on our mode of operations, and to divulge top-secret hideouts of our commanders.”