The move by Nigeria’s Federal Government to grant amnesty to alleged repentant Boko Haram fighters has been faulted by the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume.
Ndume faulted the action following the report of a repentant Boko Haram member, who killed his father, stole his moneh and disappeared after reintegration.
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The lawmaker stated that most of the fighters who were recently integrated back into the community had gone back to their old ways of terrorism.
Ndume said the programme was unacceptable, calling on the government to stop forthwith.
Ndume who was speaking in a BBC Hausa programme centred on the rising killings in Kaduna, queried the rationale behind the government investing immensely on repentant insurgents.
He opined that instead of training Boko Haram who won’t appreciate such steps, victims of terrorist activities in IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocations.
Ndume said; “They are like Kharajites. Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent. The government should know what to do about them, but not reintroducing someone to you, who has killed your parents or your relations.
“Not that he even apologised to you; he apologised to the government. His thinking was that government has failed and that is why they are being pampered. This government’s programme is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it forthwith.
“If there is sincerity of purpose, those in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps should be trained in various trades and vocations, so that they can start life again.”
Senator Ndume’s thoughts were reiterated by a widow who was featured in the programme as well.
She berated the Federal Government for training repentant insurgents to be reintegrated into the community while people affected by their activities suffer in IDP camps across the country.
The widow claimed that her husband was killed by insurgents, leaving her with four children to fend for.
She wondered why the government was pampering the so-called repentant insurgents.
She said, “This is hurting. They (Boko Haram) killed my husband in my presence. They killed my son. I am left suffering with four young orphans. Till death, I will never forget that day.”
Nigeria’s Federal Government over the weekend released over 600 supposed repentant Boko Haram terrorists to be integrated back into the Nigerian community.
