Soldiers of the Chad Army sit on the back of a Land Cruiser at the Koundoul market, 25 km from N'Djamena, on January 3, 2020, upon their return after a months-long mission fighting Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria. - Chad has ended a months-long mission fighting Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria and withdrawn its 1,200-strong force across their common border, an army spokesman told AFP on January 4, 2020. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Federal Government may establish agency for rehabilitation of Boko Haram insurgents

February 20, 2020

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The Federal Government may soon establish Agency for repentant Boko Haram members for their rehabilitation, deradicalisation and integration, and this will be made possible following a bill sponsored on Thursday at the Senate.

Penpushing reports that, the Senate began the moves during a plenary, as a member Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe East Senatorial District, sponsored the bill which was read for the first time, while already, a subject of fierce push back, the bill offers further concession to Boko Haram militants who choose to cease fire.

The Nigerian military, last month stated that no fewer than 608 repentant Boko Haram insurgents were undergoing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under its Operation Safe Corridor in Malam-Sidi, Gombe State.

Penpushing further reports that, the repentant insurgents, were said to have been exposed to formal literacy classes, skills acquisition and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) as well as drug and psycho-therapists during their training.

The former Governor of Bornu State, Kashim Shettima last year led group of Borno elders, frowning at the initiative, arguing that the military’s operation was not well thought out, expressing fear that releasing the purported repentant Boko Haram militants into civilian population could be counterproductive as hardened fighters would return to the terror group to commit more atrocities.

“The ongoing de-radicalization and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram insurgents under the “operation safe corridor” of the defense headquarters is a course for concern for members of the Civilian JTF and some stakeholders in the State,” the group declared.

Penpushing also recalled that the group called on President Mohammed Buhari to approve the suspension of the programme, adding, “we suspect that “Boko Haram members do not repent” hence the de-radicalization programme may be breeding spies and agents of recruitment for the Boko Haram,”