Traditional rulers in Borno State have lamented the “threats and intimidations” faced by victims of Boko Haram terrorism.
The threats and intimidations were contained in a Charter of Demands of the de-radicalised women and girls, who were forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram terror group.
Raising the alarm, yesterday, in Maiduguri, at a workshop organised by Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (AFPD), the 59 district heads said: “Some of the repentant Boko Haram terrorists are threatening to kill men, who married their wives while they were in Sambisa Forest before surrendering to the military.”
They noted that the threats, rejection and intimidation were some of the challenges facing the implementation of the ‘Borno Model’ on the reconciliation process and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram terrorists and families into communities.
A district head, Abba Kawu, added: “This is despite that the woman waited for the surrendered terrorist for over seven years before marrying another man,”
Traditional ruler of Maisandari, Baba Bukar, lamented how a young lady, who was abducted by the terrorists, escaped with a terrorist, who married her in captivity. He said on returning home, her father rejected her, including her children and her husband.
The traditional rulers unanimously decided to plead on behalf of the women for government and humanitarian agencies to come to their aid.
They also urged the state government and relevant agencies to consider the plights of the survivors of Boko Haram.
“As advocates of peace and peaceful co-existence, we are appealing to the government to see how we can successfully reconcile and reintegrate the survivors into the society,” they said, noting that this could be done without stigmatisation and rejection from the communities.
Executive Director of AFPD, Hamsatu Allamin, described the workshop as a public presentation of the Charter of the Foundation by strengthening the capacities of traditional and religious leaders, as well as community leaders and youths.
The traditional and religious leaders are from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, Mafa and Konduga local councils. They are engaged in de-radicalizing women, which has led them to bring back their husbands from the bush to embrace a life of dignity.
