Mass Surrender: Borno Stakeholders Meet, Agree To Forgive, Reintegrate 3,900 ‘Repentant’ Terrorists

Various stakeholders in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, say they are ready to forgive and accept back at least 3,900 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram terrorists who have recently given up themselves to the Nigerian military. 

This was one of the resolutions reached at a town hall meeting held by the stakeholders in Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday, Aug. 29, where the recent mass surrenders of Boko Haram insurgents was discussed. 

HumAngle reported how members of the Jamaatul Ahlil Sunnah liddawati wal Jihad (JAS) faction of the Boko Haram had surrendered themselves to the Nigerian troops following the death of their leader, Abubakar Shekau. 

Hosted by the Borno State government, the stakeholders comprising members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers, the military, and other representatives of the security agencies, victims of the insurgency, religious leaders, the Civil Society Organisations, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and Borno elders, all bared their concerns on the mass surrender of the ex-terrorists. 

The stakeholders, who endorsed the government’s decision to accept the repentant terrorists, issued a 16-point communique detailing their position on the matter at the end of the meeting which lasted about five hours. 

Key speakers at the event, aside from the host, Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, were Major General Christopher Musa, the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai; the State Director of DSS; the Shehu of Borno, who made key suggestions amongst many other attendees.  

Governor Zulum who expressed happiness on the contributions made by all speakers said he would convey the pulse of the one-day town hall meeting to the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also disclosed that he had set up a special committee comprising all military and government officials to painstakingly profile the surrendered terrorists before accepting them into society.  

Zulum, however, pointed out that some of the repentant terrorists were forced to remain in the bush to function as farmers and cooks for the insurgents, stressing that special consideration would be given to those categories during the screening.  

He said asides from the “over 3000 repentant Boko Haram” fighters currently in the custody of the Borno State Government and the military, another 900 who repented in Cameroon would soon be transported home. 

The 16-point communique  

In the 16-point communique signed by Kaka-Shehu Lawan, the Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, “the meeting urged the federal and state government to “handle the issue of repentant Boko Haram insurgents with utmost care and within the instrumentality of the law.” 

“The meeting stressed the need for proper profiling of the repentant Boko Haram insurgents to avoid hasty release of hardened elements to the larger society.”

“The meeting welcomed the recent massive surrender by the Boko Haram insurgents and urged those still in the bush to follow suit.”

“The meeting strongly advocated for the strengthening of the deradicalization mechanism of the Operation Save Corridor to involve parents of the surrendered Boko Haram members, Ulamas, traditional/community leaders and the media.” 

“The meeting urged citizens to key into the educational opportunities created by the state government especially by enrolling their children and wards to schools as a countermeasure for indoctrination.”

“The Stakeholders reiterated the need for further support to all victims of the insurgency especially the women and children.”

“The meeting called on the Federal Government for the establishment of a world-class deradicalisation/rehabilitation centre in Borno State being the epicentre of the insurgency.”

“The meeting called for a true reconciliation amongst the affected people.”

“The meeting appreciated the support of the Federal government to the state but solicited for more funding from the Federal Government to the state especially in the areas of reconstruction, resettlement, reintegration, education and health as the meagre resources at the disposal of the State is not enough given the magnitude of the cost involved.”

“The meeting urged the military to sustain the ongoing offensive on the activities of ISWAP.”

“The meeting resolved to have periodic press briefing on the ongoing activities of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists with a view of creating awareness amongst the members of the public.” 

“All firearms and offensive weapons used by the insurgents be retrieved from them.”

“The meeting further resolved that the North East Development Commission as a matter of priority be involved in all aspects of rehabilitation and integration of surrendered Boko Haram into the mainstream society.”