Borno Seeks EU Intervention Over 90,000 Repentant Terrorists, Others

Borno State government has appealed to the European Union (EU) to consider a second phase of its intervention programmes in the State, to tackle the challenges of the over 90,000 surrendered Boko Haram terrorists and families that have overstretched the capacity of the State government.

The State government while thanking the EU and all the implementing partners for their immense contribution to the state’s post-insurgency recovery effort that cuts across several sectors of development, noted that EU’s embarking on second phase of intervention following the closure of the first phase, will also handle the challenges affecting resettled communities.

The State’s Commissioner of Information, Hon. Babakura Abba-Jatau, made the appeal on Friday in Maiduguri, during the closure and learning workshop which signalled the end of the implementation of the Phase 1 of Borno Package funded by the EU and implemented by partners, where the various partners presented their scorecards in the post-insurgency programme.

The Commissioner applauded the non-kinetic approach adopted by the State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in resolving the age-long insurgency.

He appealed to the EU and partners to ensure that they transfer assets to MDAs who will ensure the sustainability of the projects long after they must have left.

“I have at different fora called for a Phase 2 of this laudable programme so as to include our recently resettled communities. This approach has yielded a lot of dividends with over 90,000 erstwhile Boko Haram combatants and their families surrendering to our own troops.

“All hands should therefore be on deck to see how these erstwhile combatants would be reintegrated into the society,” he said.

In presenting the Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) programme under the umbrella of the British Council project, the State team lead of MCN, Amin Buba Dibal, said in the first phase of the implementation of Borno package, the British Council trained 951 traditional rulers in dispute resolution.

He said within the time under review the traditional rulers have resolved 14,141 cases, adding that 82 per cent of cases emanated from four Emirates of the State.

He said the British Council also facilitated the development and adoption of a code of conduct for traditional leaders.

“Supported the establishment of four RKCs in four emirate councils (Borno, Biu, Dikwa and Gwoza) and supported to organise quarterly meetings to enhance peace and security

“Ten active Community Peace and Safety Partnership (CPSP) platforms were created in (MMC, Jere, Mafa, Kaga, Moguno, Gubio, Hawul, Bayo, Biu and Kwaya-Kusar), while 470 safety and security cases were resolved,” Dibal stated.