"How I Was Forced To Kill 13 People" – 17-Year Old Boko Haram Suspect Reveals

A 17-year-old Boko Haram suspect Ali M., said he was forced to kill 13 people in Chikingudu forest in Kalabalge Local Government Area of Borno, when he was held captive for three years by the insurgents.

Mustapha was arrested by men of the Borno Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) after he was sent on a mission by his Commander to spy on Maiduguri.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mustapha said that he was sent by the terrorists to assess situation in Baga Road, Monday market and Customs market in Maiduguri, and report back.

Mustapha said;

“I was kidnapped in Marte by the insurgents when they stormed the town in 2013 and they took us away to Chikungudu forest in Kalabalge local government area. 

I was held captive for three years at Chikungudu. During those three years I killed 13 people in separate locations. 

First was at Chikungudu where we were held hostage by the Boko Haram. They forced us to kill people, especially when they returned from a mission. 

They said they were testing us and, therefore brought some people and asked me to kill five people. 

I initially declined but they threatened to kill me, so, I had no option but to kill them,”  

“The second time was at a village called Burssari, they also brought five people and ask me to kill them, which I did. I spent three years with the insurgents in Chikunguda and Kalabalge. Life for us was indeed terrible. We were trained to dismantle and repair AK 47 and AA (Anti Aircraft) rifles and,”

He also said that more than 500 children of his age and others who are older than him, were initiated as child soldiers in the Chukungudu forest by the insurgents.

According to Premium Times, Mustapha said he abandoned the mission to spy on Maiduguri, and went to the IDP camps to search for his parents.

“I was tired of killing people against my wish, so I told my two other colleagues with whom we were asked to go on a spying mission that we should abandon the mission and run. 

So I came to Maiduguri to search for my parents in the camps. But some IDPs who knew me as member of Boko Haram decided to report me to the security people,” he said.

Premium Times’ report further stated that Mustapha admitted to killing 18 persons.