*Gov Zulum*
BY INUSA NDAHI, MAIDUGURI
The Coordinator of Nigerian Army Safe Corridor (NASC), Maj-Gen. Bamidele Shafa has handed over 151 surrendered and de-radicalized Boko Haram combatants to Borno state government for re-integration.
The de-radicalization exercise was to prepare the combatants for re-integration into society, after 21 months training programme in camp at Gombe, Gombe state.
Presenting the combatants on Monday, at Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre, Maiduguri, Shafa said: “While in Gombe camp, they went through various therapies, including psychotherapy, recreational activities, introduction to Western Education, as well as vocational training.”
He said the surrendered combatants; were imbibed with the culture of nationalism, before integration into the society.
He said that after the training programme, they also swore to oath of allegiance before a judicial panel headed by a Federal High Court Judge.
According to him, the panel comprises military lawyers, government officials, traditional and religious leaders. “They also confessed to their past deeds and asked for forgiveness and
sworn oath of allegiance to Federal Government. This is in addition to denouncing their membership to Boko Haram,” he said, believing that the combatants have been forgiven for their past
deeds.
While congratulating Army’s corridor, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said that the state government is ever ready to accept those who are willing to desist from terrorism. He said government is ready to support the surrendered ones; by giving them the chances of return to their communities.
Zulum, who was represented by his deputy, Umar Kadafur said: “An enabling environment will be provided to all of you that have renounced membership to Boko Haram.
“I’ve directed all the traditional rulers and authorities in Borno to accept you in your respective communities,” he said.
He warned that no traditional ruler or authority should hinder or interfere with movements and rights of former combatants as citizens, as they have renounced their membership.
He directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation to unfold a plan on how to absorb the combatants into various acquired skills and trades.