Repentant Boko Haram terrorists have called on the Federal Government to provide them with a means of livelihood as they resettle back into communities having undergone series of rehabilitation.
They spoke about their current status exclusively to Channels Television at the Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre, Maiduguri adding that some of them are thinking of returning to the bush.
One of the repentant Boko Haram members, Ali Kaka said:
“I am still living in the camp although I have been freed by the authorities but I have nowhere to go, many of us are idle to the point that some are contemplating returning to the bush.
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“I was a welder and gun repairer while in Sambisa, when I was surrendering I brought five guns with me as my contribution to the Nigerian government.”
Another repentant Boko Haram member, Suleiman Abubakar, said:
“I am one of those that surrendered their guns and I did it because I got tired of killing and stealing and needed to start a new life.
“We took up arms because of lack of jobs or tangible source of livelihood as such I will plead with the government to provide us source of livelihood so that some of us that have genuinely surrendered will not be tempted again.”
The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, distributed food items to them and some rescued Chibok girls.
At Burumuktu Rehabilitation Center in Maidugiri rescued people, including Chibok schoolgirls and repentant rebels, were held for monitoring and evaluation before being reintegrated into society.
In response to their request, Edu explained that the Federal Government was working tirelessly to alleviate poverty among the poor masses of the society, starting with the provision of grants and soft loans that will be launched soon.
