Resurgence Of Boko Haram Terrorists, Despicable, Worrisome – HURIWA
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has described as deeply troubling, the obnoxious practice of freeing detained boko haram fighters as against focusing on efficient, effective and timely prosecution, conviction and slamming of death penalties on captured terrorists.
HURIWA therefore demanded an end to the programme of releasing back into the society, detained boko haram fighters as repentant terrorists.
It stressed that a total stoppage of releasing boko haram back into the society would encourage members of the Nigerian armed forces to intensify counter-terror attacks with a view to clinically finish off the armed Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP.
A statement by Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA said that the rights group had consistently and persistently opposed the continuous implementation of the illegal, unconstitutional and wicked programme by the Federal government of freeing detained boko haram terrorists after a so called periodic deradicalisation and reintegration programme.
It pointedly blamed freed boko haram extremists for the build-up of further and more deadly attacks that have continued to occur in parts of Borno State.
HURIWA said; “This programme of violating the extant anti- terrorism law to free detained terrorists, is exactly what is boosting the morale and expanding the frontiers of enlistment into the daredevil terrorists’ networks, stressing that it has become clearer that the more the terrorists are freed, the more deadly the attacks become.
It said; “Nigeria must stop this madness and send the deradicalised boko haram terrorists to trial by the competent courts of law for their crimes against humanity so they can be apportioned the most appropriate judicial punishment for their crimes against humanity”. ”
HURIWA noted that on Monday, the Borno State Government confirmed the killing of 40 farmers in terrorist attack on Dumba community, near Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.
HURIWA also said that the Nigerian military has confirmed that six of its soldiers died in a battle in the northeastern state of Borno while the army was reported to have killed more than 30 insurgents.
HURIWA condemned as despicable, reprehensible and absolutely intolerable the abominable killings of farmers and soldiers by armed Islamists of Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP.
It urged the federal government to take steps to ensure that it continues to enforce the primary constitutional duty of government which is the protection of lives and property of citizens and the advancements of the well-being and welfare of the citizenry.
HURIWA also called for adequate financial compensation to be paid to the families of the bereaved by both the Borno State and the federal government.
