Nigerians have condemned the rehabilitation of no fewer than 800 ex-Boko Haram terrorists by the Federal Government.
Chronicle NG reports that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that 800 former Boko Haram fighters who surrendered to the military are currently undergoing deradicalization for further reintegration into society.
The Chief of Defence Operations, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, made this known on Channels TV on Monday.
According to him, one year is enough time to reorient and reintegrate the ex-terrorists into the larger society.
He said, though, that about 129,000 Boko Haram fighters have been arrested so far, and only 800 former fighters were carefully selected to participate in the rehabilitation and reintegration project tagged Operation Safe Corridor.
Maj-Gen Onumajuru said, “To get the numbers right, right now, (we have) about 129,000 surrendered BH (Boko Haram) members and their families.
“We are a professional army, and when you are in combat and an opponent surrenders, then you take him and let the legal processes take their natural course.
“Right now, some of them are detention facilities, some of them are in Kainji, and there is a special court that goes through all of them. Those that were found culpable face the books, and those that are going to be deradicalized go through the process, and this takes about a year.”
Reacting to the news, Nigerians took to the social networking site X to lament over the development.
They mentioned that rather than being rehabilitated, such criminal elements should be forced to face the full wrath of the law.
Our correspondent highlights below the reactions of Nigerians to the news of the rehabilitation of the ex-Boko Haram terrorists.
Patrick Anum, ”So what happens to the families that have been killed?
”Instead of providing therapy to families who witnessed their loved ones killed and resettling them in their lands, we are providing rehabilitation to people who should have been sentenced for terrorism.
”Despite the fact that it has been proven that rehabilitation has failed and most of these patients still go back after a while back to terrorism, the government keeps doing the same thing.
”There is an obvious lack of will to solve this terrorism problem, and the media and NGOs have a hand in sugarcoating the problem.”
Larry IK, ”At the end of the day, they will be absorbed into the Army & sent to the Southeast to do what they know how best to do.”
Jessica, ”It is only in Nigeria that you can hear this rehabilitation of terrorists. The leopard can never change his color.
”If they are really repentant, what information or confessions have they given the soldiers voluntarily that can help to tackle other terrorists?
”Our fear is that after the so-called creepy training, they will likely deploy them to Southeast.”
Amarachi Ochiawuto, ”You people are hiding under Asari Dokubo, using Fulani boys to massacre innocent Igbo youths in the South East, while the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists are undergoing deradicalization. God is going to shame you all.”
Motoks, ”Nigeria has failed in every aspect of governance, but nothing exposes its collapse more than its handling of terrorism.
”A country that imprisons activists for speaking out but rehabilitates terrorists who have slaughtered its citizens is not just a failed state; it is a safe haven for terror.
”When the law is weaponized against the innocent while criminals are rewarded, justice becomes a mockery.
”Nigeria has become a country where those who destroy lives are reintegrated, while those who demand a better future are silenced.”
Ikenjoku David, ”This is very insulting to soldiers who have lost colleagues and to the families of soldiers killed in battle. They’ve thrown their lives over nothing. This is ridiculous.”
Vance, ”What happens to the thousands of families that these people make cry? Are you even sure if they’re Nigerians?
”Your family member is never a victim, so it is better you take them to rehabilitation.”
Tukemike, ”The north will always support their own, but the south and the east cannot stand with one voice. Imagine supporting terrorists and not even their victims and their families.”
Ari John, ”But they have adjourned the MNK case indefinitely and have held him in detention for 4 years even when the supreme court has dismissed his case as not guilty. Nigeria we are watching. We Igbos are really watching, soon this monsters you have made will come for you all.”
Nnanna Damian, ”Do you notice anything here? I will explain; pay attention to how this was drafted: 800 ex-Boko Haram “fighters.”.
”Pay attention to the fighters very well. Meanwhile, Nnadu Kanu is a terrorist and has to die in prison.”
Kingsley I. Felix, ”You are perceived as a terrorist, an evil person, someone who doesn’t want the progress of Nigeria when you call for restructuring and a referendum.
”You are given uniforms, food, and water; allowed to join the military when you kill and blow up people and properties.
”Rehabilitation for those who destroyed the British company. Jail for those who call for a better and well-structured British company.
”I doubt there’s any other European company/colony in the African continent with this type of program.”
Godswill Nnachi, ”This is how @HQNigerianArmy keeps spreading insecurity across civilian society.
”Insecurity in Nigeria is aided and abetted by the Nigerian state itself.
”Let them stop shifting blame; by the actions of the Nigerian security forces, we see them aiding and abetting insecurity.”
Ajide Omo Ajide, ”It’s very much obvious that these groups and such cause trouble for some political power holders, saying they’re fighting for religion because the media claims so.”
James AJ, ”Nigeria is controlled by the Fulani’s regardless of who is the president. If you are an employee in a company, you will work with the company policy to protect the interest of the Fulanis of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Fulanis aren’t indigenous citizens.”
