The Borno State Police Command has arrested four persons in connection to an attempt to burn the Mafa IDP camp in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.

The arrested persons were Malum Usman, 16; Bulama Bukar, 14; and Rawa Usman, 11; as well as their alleged sponsor, Babagana Umar, 40.

The PUNCH recall that, disturbed by the growing frequency of IDP camp infernos in the state, the state government vowed to get persons behind such acts arrested and make them face the law.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, had, on Sunday, March 31, raised the alarm over the matter in a statement, alleging a grand conspiracy involving some NGOs.

However, parading the  suspects  in Maiduguri, Thursday,  the state command’s spokesman, ASP Nahum Daso, did not mention any NGO for sponsoring the act.

“On the 24th March 2024 at about 10:30am, hunters group of Mafa reported to Mafa division of the police with 3 suspects Malum Usman 16yrs, Bulama Bukar 14yrs, Rawa Usman 11yrs all of Mafa IDP camp that suspects were arrested with matches while trying to set a house ablaze in the camp,” Daso explained.

“Preliminary investigation further revealed that the trio were sponsored by one Babagana Umar a firewood seller at Muna garage area Maiduguri who contracted them to commit the act at the rate of N10,000 the case is under investigation,” he revealed further.

Th alleged sponsor, Umar, denied sponsoring the youngsters to perpetrate the crime.

“I was arrested while saying my prayers in the Mosque,

“This is a mischief against me. I am yet to even imagine.

“When I was arrested, because I knew I have never imagined attempting to set the Mafa camp ablaze, I proposed to swear by the Holy Quran to prove my innocence; I was not allowed,” he said.