The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has raised an alarm over
the reintegration, rehabilitation and de-radicalisation of Boko Haram
suspects by the Federal Government.
CAN’s President Samson Ayokunle who described the development as
“suspicious and troubling” while speaking at a news conference in Abuja
to mark the second year of Leah Sharibu’s abduction, wondered why the
Federal Government think the freed ex-terrorists won’t return to Sambisa
forest and pick up their arms against innocent Nigerians.
He said;
“The setting free of so-called ex-Boko Haram terrorists under
de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, empowerment of the arrested
terrorists by the federal government is rather troubling and
suspicious,” he said.“What is the guarantee that the freed ex-terrorists would not return
to Sambisa forest and pick up their arms against innocent Nigerians?”
Also speaking at the event, CAN’s vice-president Caleb Ahima said
more blood is being shed under President Buhari’s administration.
He said;
“The development is a shame and there is a cloud of confusion that
hangs over the nation and the people that are governing this nation are
not doing the right thing,” he said.“We are sure of one thing. We cannot doubt that the government knows
what is happening. Looking at the fact that we are a nation, we have the
air force, the navy, we have the soldiers, we have the weapons, but
what is happening in this nation?“We call on the federal government again that we are getting to a point of anarchy.
“We have every reason to be suspicious and to speak passionately to
government again that Christians in this nation are Nigerians and must
not be killed.“We want the world to know the evil that is happening in the country
under the watch of this government. More blood is being shed. The
killing is religious. Boko Haram sect wants to establish an Islamic
state. We must stop this killings.
Ahima also alleged that President Buhari has repeatedly promised to
secure the release of those in captivity, a promise he said is yet to be
fulfilled since the President got elected in 2015.
He added;
“The president made this same promise as part of his campaign promise
before the 2015 presidential election. When will he do it as he has
promised repeatedly? The unsuccessful efforts to free the prisoner of
faith by the federal government is highly disturbing, disappointing,
depressing and unacceptable.”