The Nigerian government is set to release about 95 former Boko Haram
terrorists into the society after taking them through a series of training, vocational skills acquisition and
rehabilitation courses.
The repentant terrorists were trained by the Nigerian Army wing
charged with the responsibility of Deracialising, Rehabilitation and
Reintegration (DRR) in Gombe State.
The commandant of the camp, Colonel Adegoke Adetuyi, during the
graduation ceremony of the repentant terrorists on Saturday, said they
were also empowered with vocational skills.
“An essential element of DRR program is training of the ex-combatant
by instructors from National Directorate of Employment (NDE). They went
through a number of vocations including barbing, shoe making/leather
works and cosmetology which compose of making of body cream, perfume and
liquid soap among others.
“They were enthusiastic about their skill acquisition program and
they are looking forward to practice their trades after discharge from
the camp. They are to further their training with NDE in their state of
residence in order to enhance smooth reintegration,” he said.
The coordinator of Operation Safe Heaven (OPSC), Major General
Bamidele Shafa, said they have earlier facilitated the rehabilitation of
750 men, women and children who were released to their various state
government.
One of the repentant fighters, Fadau Bukar, asked for forgiveness for
the atrocities they have committed against humanity and the nation as a
whole.
“This is happiest day in life. It’s like a day of admission into
paradise. I appeal to the larger society to receive us wholeheartedly
because we have realised that the ideologies of the Boko Haram are wrong
that’s why we surrendered.
“We have repented fully and will contribute to the development of ourselves, the society and the nation,” Bukar said.