Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army and Borno state government; have released 136 Boko Haram repentants under Operation Safe Corridor (OSC) skills acquisition training for acceptance and integration into communities. Over 1,400 repentants were handed over to state government, after 52-week skills acquisitions training programme in Gombe state.
While addressing repentants Thursday in Maiduguri, OSC’s Coordinator Maj-Gen. Bamidele Shafa; said besides the army, the international community is ready to accept repented insurgents for deradicalisation, training and integration into Borno, Adamawa and Yobe communities. He said the visit to Gwoza and Bulumkutu rehabilitation centres, was to assess the reintegration exercise and how repentants are doing before integrating them into society. “The doors are still open for more insurgents lay down their arms,” he said, saying that over 2, 000 repentants accepted the safe corridor initiative for peace to reign.
Musa Njidda, an ex-Boko Haram member from Gwoza told the Coordinator that more insurgents are coming out from the bush. He disclosed that this year, 10 insurgents had surrendered to troops operating in Sambisa Forest. Njidda said that the community leaders had been informed to allow repentants join their family members. “Our community leaders have accepted repentant Boko Haram insurgents with supply of food and other items for integration,” he said. According to Shafa, this is a good testimony, the President’s deradicalisation exercise, is working for more repentants to be trained and integrated. “The safe corridor exercise will receive and train them for reintegration into their respective communities,” he assured.
