The government of Borno State has explained why some repentant Boko Haram terrorists have yet to be released and reintegrated into society.
Mustapha Gubio, the state’s Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, who provided the update, stated that the government and the United Nations Development Programme are still working on the best plan for permanently reintegrating them into their home communities.
He added that it is critical to get the process right so that there are no retaliatory attacks from host communities that may still be suffering from the loss of human and domestic property inflicted on them by Boko Haram insurgents.
Gubio stated that many communities offended by the ex-terrorists, particularly Bama, where they slaughtered over 200 people in a single day, have expressed their refusal to forgive the ex-combatants.
The Commissioner stated that the repentant combatants and their families are currently in the custody of the Borno State government.
On Thursday, May 4, he made the revelation while responding to questions from journalists following his presentation to the visiting team of Syndicate 3 of Course 16 of the National Institute for Security Studies in Maiduguri.
Other insurgents, especially women and children, are being released for rehabilitation and reintegration in their home communities after discussions with the respective communities, Gubio disclosed.
The repentant fighters will, however, not be released now until the government and UNDP develop a plan of their proper resettlement and rehabilitation in the communities to avoid reprisal attempts by the offended communities, he added.
The state government and UNDP are still discussing the best plan for the fighters,” the Borno RRR commissioner said, stressing, “I cannot tell you when they will conclude their discussion.