Why Borno Residents Are Against Return Of Reformed Boko Haram Fighters

By Chuks Ekpeneru

The plan by the government to  reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into the communities may suffer a set back if not well planned.

Communities affected by terrorism are yet to come to terms with the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration (DRR) programme, which goal is to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members  into society according to a report in The Cable.

The military had recently announced that 602 ex-Boko Haram members have completed the DRR programme.

However the people are finding it difficult to cohabit with those who killed their loved ones.

“From day one, Maiduguri people have never liked the idea of reintegrating the terrorists back to the community,” one of the residents was quoted in The Cable report as saying.

“The reason is simple. It means they are likely to come in contact with people who slaughtered members of their family and friends in their presence and they are expected not to think about it?

“They are expected to agree for these people to be with them in society? How do you expect us to live with the killers of our parents? Those who attacked us and burnt down our houses?”

Another resident, Shettima Mustapha, lamented that the return of one of the ex-Boko Haram members brought into a community where one of the recently killed humanitarian workers came from was greeted with disdain.

“Today, we woke up to the news that one notorious Boko Haram member,  popularly known as Mallam Yawu, came back to Shehuri South community. Reportedly, he came back with some papers believed to be government clearance papers, possibly, from those responsible for reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members,” Mustapha wrote.

“The reaction of the people of that community was as expected — a total rejection and condemnation of the authorities who released him back to the community.

“From what we are learning, he is either taken away by security operatives or CJTF, perhaps, looking at the pulse of the general public about his sudden reappearance.

“And don’t forget, only yesterday, a video of the gruesome murder of the humanitarian aid workers was released by the BHT. One of those killed, Abdurahman Bulama, was from the same Shehuri South community where this terrorist is being planned to be reintegrated. The same sad story is true of almost every community in Borno State.”

Usman Alibe, another resident, has a similar story to Shettima “when a female member of the dreaded group returned home with a full security backing”.

Alibe said further that the government plan “will not augur well for our fragile peace in the towns and city centre”.

“It is fine if the authorities are so magnanimous to forgive their heinous crime and it is also fine for the victims who they wreak a monumental havoc to not forgive them.

“Therefore, the government should integrate them into government houses and the villa but not our society,” he said.

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