Nigerian Army releases 95 repentant Boko Haram terrorists after equipping them with vocational skills

NIGERIAN military commanders are set to release about 95 former Boko Haram terrorists after successfully putting them through a series of vocational skills acquisition and rehabilitation courses aimed at rehabilitating them.

Under an amnesty programme introduced a few years ago, terrorists who gave up their arms and pledged to be integrated into society were forgiven and trained. Now, the first batch of graduates under the scheme, these repentant terrorists were trained by the Nigerian Army division charged with the responsibility of Deradicalising, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) in Gombe State.

Colonel Adegoke Adetuyi, the Nigerian Army commandant of the camp, said: "An essential element of DRR programme is training of the ex-combatant by instructors from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). They went through a number of vocations including barbing, shoe making/leather works and cosmetology which compose of making body cream, perfume and liquid soap among others.

“They were enthusiastic about the skill acquisition programme and they are looking forward to practicing their trades after being discharged from the camp. They are to further their training with the NDE in their state of residence in order to enhance smooth reintegration.”

Major General Bamidele Shafa, the coordinator of Operation Safe Heaven, said they have so far facilitated the rehabilitation of 750 men, women and children who were released to their various state governments. One of the repentant fighters, Fadau Bukar, asked for forgiveness for the atrocities they have committed against humanity and the nation as a whole.

“This is happiest day in life. It’s like a day of admission into paradise.

"I appeal to the larger society to receive us wholeheartedly because we have realised that the ideologies of the Boko Haram are wrong that’s why we surrendered. We have repented fully and will contribute to the development of ourselves, the society and the nation,” Mr Bukar added.