MAIDUGURI — The Borno state government on Monday convened a one-day extraordinary stakeholder’s engagement to critically examine the recent mass surrender of Boko Haram insurgents and their families with a view to managing the situation.
Since the recent wave of surrendering by Boko Haram fighters and their families to Nigerian troops, people have been commenting on the genuineness of their action or otherwise.
According to the report, about three thousand insurgents have so far surrendered to the military with an additional nine hundred in the neighbouring Cameroon republic.
The meeting held at the multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri was presided over by Governor Babagana Zulum with members of the national and state assemblies, military and other security agencies, traditional, religious leaders as well as civil society organisations in attendance.
Governor Babagana Zulum while addressing the meeting said the government and people of Borno are faced with the dilemma of choosing between unending conflicts and accepting dreaded combatants of Boko Haram insurgents.
“Accepting the Boko Haram will seriously affect the feelings of victims with the potential of civil rebellion just as there will be risk if Boko Haram fighters willing to surrender are rejected, they can join ISWSP to swell the ranks of the fighters in the bush and the path of peace becomes narrowed.”
“The last twelve years have been challenging to the state, hence the need to find a sustainable solution to end the crisis,” Zulum said.
He said although he has conferred with the President and some of the Service Chiefs on the matter, it is important to get contributions from people of the state who are direct victims.
Zulum promised to critically review the recommendations at the state security council meeting with a view to developing a framework that will address the situation.
In his remark, the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai Major General Christopher Musa and state Director Department of State Service Alhaji Mamman Murtala expressed commitment to the peace initiative and called for expansion of the de-radicalisation programme.
Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi, the Chief Imam Laisu Ibrahim Ahmed, and Secretary Borno elders forum, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio called for the engagement of traditional and religious leaders in the rehabilitation process.
