A bill to establish National agency for EX-BOKO HARAM members was read, for its first time, in the Senate floor yesterday, 20th February 2020.
The bill titled “National Agency For The Education, Rehabilitation, Deradicalization and Integration Of Repentant Insurgents In Nigeria” was sponsored by former Governor of Yobe State, senator Ibrahim Gaidam, representing Yobe East under All Progressive Congress, APC.
If the Bill succeeds, a legal framework that would have Amnesty for the Boko Haram Insurgents would be put in place.
Senator Ibrahim said that the Bill is aimed at providing an avenue for educating and reintegrating the repentant members of the insurgents.
According to the bill, the agency will aimed at providing an open door opportunity for the members of the sect to leave the group. The agency will also help the government to drive insider information about the insurgency group.
Senator Ibrahim said that the repentant terrorists, who had shown remorse over their actions, recant their violent ideology, will re-enter mainstream politics, religion and society.
“Also, through mainstream open lines of communication, the agency will be able to gain a greater understanding of both the immediate needs for combating Boko Haram, as well as a tool for counter-radicalization in the future,” Senator Ibrahim said.
The agency will also provide the repentant Boko Haram with an opportunity to learn crafts such as carpentry, clay shaping, pottery, etc.
Recall that two weeks ago, the Borno State Government said that about 1,400 repentant Boko Haram suspects were released by the military and rehabilitated into the society.
However, Babakura Jato, Borno State Commissioner For Information, said that most of the persons released were not actually Boko Haram members but were relatives of terrorists or persons found in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Reported by
EMMANUEL AC