The Borno State government, European Union and other stakeholders have urged citizens of Borno and the North East in general to avoid stigmatisation of repentant terrorists and their families who surrendered to troops in Borno and environs.
They also appealed to them to forgive and accept the repentant terrorists back into the society for the needed peace to return to the state.
Speaking yesterday at a policy dialogue organised by Peace Ambassadors Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment (PACHE) in collaboration with the European Union, the British Council and other non-governmental organisations on mechanisms for enhancing community acceptance of Boko Haram returnees, the commissioner for home affairs, information and culture, Babakura Abba Jatau, called for an end to stigma against repentant terrorists which he said was necessary as the reintegration and the resettlement drive of the state government is at an advanced stage.
He said the state was experiencing massive surrender of Boko Haram insurgents, and it is now up to the people to accept them or ask them to go back to the bush and continue to harass them, but noted that people have no any reason not to accept them.
The commissioner said; “Any war that starts with firing a bullet, whether we like or not, must come to an end on the table, we have seen it all over the world and ours cannot be different.
“The challenge is now on the traditional rulers, community and religious leaders as well as the general public to understand the situation we have found ourselves so that we get permanent peace in our country.”
President of Peace Ambassadors, Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment, Amb. Ahmed Shehu, described stigma and discrimination against repentant terrorists as the biggest barriers to ending insecurity in the region.
The former coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor which has the responsibility of deradicalisation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members into the society, Maj. Gen Bamidele Shafa (rtd), said the role of society in peace building cannot be undermined, and except the people open their minds and hands to accept them, the needed peace may not be achieved.
He appealed to the people of the North East to have the heart to accept them so that their actions can encourage the remaining members who are still in the bush to surrender.
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