The Borno State Government has re-integrated 500 repentant Boko Haram terrorists into the liberated communities.
According to 2021 Global terrorism index, Nigeria has moved to the sixth from fourth position since 2017.
Announcing the re-integration, yesterday (Wednesday), at a dialogue on Reconstruction and Reintegration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig-Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd) disclosed that the reintegration of repentant insurgents is to enhance sustainable peace and security in the state.
“This is a policy dialogue on reconstruction and reintegration,” he said, stating that it will enhance the restoration of peace with security.
He attributed the re-integration to the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency by the military and other security agencies.
According to him, the coordinated military campaigns have also resulted in the mass surrender of over 35,000 Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and their families.
He however, that the surrender of fighters has generated a lot of anxiety from residents as many them expressed doubts about their sincerity for reintegration into the communities.
He added that this what informs the Peace Ambassadors for Humanitarian Aid and Stakeholders for a police dialogue to reintegrate the repentant insurgents.
“The hybrid non kinetic approach adopted by the military and the State Government informed the recent mass surrender to terrorists,” he said.
He further disclosed that three Chibok girls were recently rescued with the unite of unaccompanied children to their parents during the reintegration processes.
He, therefore, solicited the support of all stakeholders to achieve re-integration process for peace and unity among the various communities affected in the 13-year insurgency.
The Coordinator Peace Ambassadors Centre for Humanitarian Aid, Ahmed Shehu said that the surrender of the repentant terrorists has provided opportunities for people access their homes.
He noted that it could afford the humanitarian actors the opportunity to reach out to additional vulnerable people in the liberated communities.
“This will complement the efforts of the State Government and other stakeholders in ensuring efficient and sustainable reconstruction and reintegration process in the state, ” he said.
Director Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Dr. Abubakar Monguno; said that there have been significant rise in the number people who indicated willingness for the repentant terrorists integration.
He, therefore, called for a deliberate policy to manage the defectors.
