De-radicalization of Terrorists: Victims Need More Care – Gombe State Govt. Says
BY WILLIAM ATTAH, GOMBE – The Gombe State government has canvassed the need for the extension of the special attention being given to repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists’ fighters to be accorded victims of insurgency too.
The Federal Government has been implementing a De-de-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, for repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists’ fighters at the Gombe State NYSC Orientation Camp in the past six years.
Deputy Governor of the States, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, who stated the position of th state government when he received in audience the new Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Joel Maina, who paid him a courtesy visit, noted that it is not easy to get the society buy into the DRR Programme of the terrorists, stressing that the victims of insurgency, to a large extent, remain unidentified, un-cared for, and not rehabilitated.
While appreciating the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as well as successes recorded in the fight against insurgency, the Deputy Governor challenged the administrators of Operation Safe Corridor to brace-up for the challenges associated with the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of repentant insurgents.
Jatau said Gombe State has played a significant role by making numerous sacrifices to maintain peace and security in the Northeast region.
In his words; “Therein lies the dilemma confronting you as actors and those to implement. I trust your professional calling to overcome this challenge that has been a subject of debate among our legislators at the National Assembly.
“I urge you to conduct your program as required, and having witnessed a graduation ceremony, there is the compelling need to have more social Psychologists and Sociologists who specializes in deviant behavior,” he said.
The Deputy Governor also urged the Operation Safe Corridor to embark on Corporate Social Responsibility to the limit of the resources available to the immediate community.
He noted that the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya is ensuring that nobody in the state is left in the struggle to overcome the numerous challenges militating against the development of the state, the Northeast and Nigeria at large.
Jatau said that in the face of insurgency, citizens have witnessed untold hardship, but expressed delight over the news of insurgents turning around to denounce their activities, thereby creating the need for the establishment of operation safe corridor.
He explained that the state has, in spite of its inconvenience, offered the NYSC Orientation Camp as a temporary base and as its own contributions to ensuring the success of the program for the benefit of all
Earlier, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Joel Maina, said the programme was initiated and started six years ago by the federal government to encourage no-risk repentant and willing ex-Boko Haram and ISWAP members.
Maina said in a bid to explore the non-kinetic aspect in support of the kinetic operations of soldiers in the Northeast, 17 agencies including the Army are drawn to participate in the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration exercise.
He further explained that the process begins with screening and documentation of the clients, followed by removing the wrong ideologies, and then train them on skills acquisition, adding that thereafter, the Reintegration, which is expected to be carried out by their states of origin.
