By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
The
Nigerian Army on Monday released over 150 “repentant” Boko Haram members to
Borno State Government.
The exercise was part of the ” Operation Safe Corridor ” and the
former militants were released to reunite with the society after they had
undergone rehabilitation in Gombe state at a centre established for the
purpose.
Handing over the deradicalized and repentant terrorists to the Borno
State Deputy Governor, Usman Umar kahdafur Bulunkutu Rehabilitation Centre, in
Maiduguri, the Coordinator “Operation Safe Corridor ” , Maj. Gen.
Bamidele Shafa said that the deradicalisation and the subsequent acceptance of
the returnees back into the society will encourage other boys still in the bush
to lay down their arms.
Shafa said the returnees have been trained on various skills acquisition during
the 52 weeks training exercise before their graduation last year November in
Gombe state.
He said their release to reunite with the society was delayed because the
tension in the polity then and due to the resurgence of Boko Haram activities
in northern part of Borno State.
He said the Chairman of “Operation Safe Corridor “, the Chief of
Defence Staff felt that the time was not ripe for releasing the boys into the
society then
He said the security situation was the reason they were held for another eight
months, “and now that the situation has stabilized and new government on board
, the Army decided to unite them with the Borno state government, and in turn,
the family members and society at large.
“The government is magnanimous in receiving them as we have witnessed. So
we keep telling and advising them to embrace peace. They cannot continue to
remain in the bush. Let them come out and be rehabilitated.
” A lot of sensitization have been done through the traditional rulers
before their return. We have 151 of them comprising 19 teenagers and 132
adults”, Shafa said.
He lamented that they were about 152 as of Friday last week, but one of them
was lost after battling health complication at the Gombe Federal Medical
Centre.
In his remarks, the deputy governor of Borno state, Usman Kadafur. who received
them on behalf of the Borno state government, expressed gratitude to President
Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the ” Operation Safe Corridor ” for
the deradicalisation of repentant Boko Haram terrorists.
Kadafur also congratulated the ” Operation Safe Corridor ” for the
job weldone, adding that the Borno state government is ever ready to
accept any member of the Boko Haram terrorists who is willing to abandon the
former ways.
He said: “As government, we are ever ready to support you and join you
with your brothers and sisters as well as reintegrate you into the society. We
will assist you with whatever that is required to live a better life in any
part of Borno state.”
He added that: “”Since you have now denounced membership of the Boko Haram
terrorist group, you are welcome back home. You will be accommodated
wherever you want to live in the state.”