- Ninety five former Boko Haram terrorists are set to be reintegrated into the Nigerian society
- The former insurgents were rehabilitated under the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme
- They were engaged in activities including psychotherapy, psycho spiritual and counselling
About 95 former Boko Haram fighter are set to be reintegrated into the Nigerian society after series of training, vocational skills acquisition, and rehabilitation courses.
According to Channels TV, the repentant terrorists were trained by the Nigerian Army wing charged with the responsibility of Deracialising, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) in Gombe State.
NAIJ.com gathered that they were rehabilitated by instructors from departments and agencies from the federal government and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) with the aim of retraining them to become law abiding citizens.
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The former Boko Haram fighters during the training were engaged in therapy and activities including psychotherapy, psycho spiritual and counselling, adverse effects of drug addiction among several others.
Colonel Adegoke Adetuyi, the commandant of the camp, during the graduation ceremony of the repentant terrorists on Saturday said they were also empowered with vocational skills.
He said: “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.”
Gombe state governor, Hassan Dankwambo, on his part assured that all the governors of the north east will assist in re-integrating them into the society.
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.
He also disclosed that 254 others are currently in the training undergoing the DRR.
One of the repentant fighters, Fadau Bukar, asked for forgiveness for the atrocities they have committed against humanity and the nation as a whole.
NAIJ.com previously reported that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have been making tremendous progress in the on-going clearance operations nicknamed Operation Deep Punch II.
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According to a statement by the director, army public relations, Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka Usman, on Tuesday, January 30, the advancing troops had contact with Boko Haram terrorists and engagement ensued.
During the encounter, they were said to have recovered an Eagle Main Battle Tank (EMBT), 1 VBL, 1 AK-47 Rifle, a police teargas rifle, religious books, many gas cylinder and bags of fertilizer, ostensibly for Improvised Explosives Devices making.
Survivors of Boko Haram on NAIJ.com TV.
Source: Naija.ng