A lawmaker, representing Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has condemned the ongoing rehabilitation exercise for ex-Boko Haram fighters, alleging that the terrorists would never repent.
Ndume, instead, challenged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to train those in IDP Camps in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.
Nigerian military authorities had in 2016 launched an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-Boko Haram fighters, titled: Operation Safe Corridor.
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According to the military, the objective of the operation was to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into society.
In July, no fewer than 600 ex-Boko Haram members had completed the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme.
Dissatisfied with aim of the exercise, Ndume in an interview on BBC Hausa Service told the Buhari administration to discontinue the programme forthwith.
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He said: “The programme by the Federal Government is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it, forthwith.
“Not that they even apologised to you, they only apologised to the government with the thinking that government has failed and that is why they are being pampered.
“They are like Kharajites. Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent.
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“The government should know what to do about them. But not re-introducing someone to you, who has killed your parent, or your relations. It can be traumatic.
“If there is sincerity of purpose in government’s rehabilitation exercise, those in the IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.”
Idowu Sowunmi
