The Borno State Government has said that no fewer than 6,900 suspected Boko Haram fighters would be made to face transitional justice.
This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, during a recent event in Maiduguri.
The event, a best practice dissemination and learning programme organised by the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to Gambo, since the mass surrender initiative began in 2021, approximately 200,000 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have laid down their arms and surrendered to the state government.
The Commissioner emphasised that the 6,900 individuals identified as genuine Boko Haram fighters are now in custody and will face transitional justice due to their involvement in crimes.
Transitional justice is a peace-building mechanism designed to address severe atrocities and prevent recurring cycles of conflict.
It includes a range of responses such as restitution, reconciliation, prosecution, and amnesty.
Gambo highlighted the success of the reintegration process, noting that nearly 9,000 former insurgents have been successfully reintegrated into society.
This process is part of a broader effort to restore peace and stability in the region after years of insurgency that devastated communities and claimed thousands of lives.
Hamsatu Allamin, the Executive Director of the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, also spoke at the event.
She revealed that many of the surrendered individuals expressed regret for their involvement with Boko Haram.
They cited a lack of knowledge and the persuasive tactics used by the insurgents to recruit them, often under the guise of religious ideology.
Allamin suggested that the government should leverage religious teachings to counteract the extremist narratives that Boko Haram used to brainwash individuals into joining their ranks.
This, she argued, could help correct the misleading narratives and aid in the deradicalization process.
The Foundation’s project, ‘Building Bridges of Reconciliation: A Community-Based Approach to Deradicalisation of Women and Girls in Borno State,’ has already made significant strides.
Over 800 deradicalised women have been sensitised and are now actively contributing to society.
These women, once caught in the cycle of violence, are now committed to leading peaceful lives and supporting community development.
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