------ Welcome transitional justice programme
Members of Communities affected by insurgency in the North-East have considered peace as a prerequisite for the progress and development of their communities.
This was made known by members of various communities during community sensitisation programme, an activity under the transitional justice programme anchored by the NHRC and supported by the European Union and the UNDP.
The community sensitization programmes which took place in the communities across the three project states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe were organised to create awareness on the benefits of forgiveness, reconciliation and reintegration of de-radicalised Boko Haram members who are willing to come back to their communities.
In Adamawa State, the Vice Chairman of the Adamawa Muslim Council Sulhu Committee, Mallam Waziri, engaged members of the community by creating awareness on the value of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence among Members of Communities.
During the sensitization exercise with participants cutting across religious leaders, traditional rulers, village heads, youth representatives, IDPs etc. Mallam Waziri emphasised the Islamic perspective of forgiveness and reconciliation as a prerequisite to peace and progress.
He said, “Reconciliation attracts the favour of Allah and guarantees answers to prayers.” While appealing for more peaceful coexistence within the communities, Waziri called on relevant authorities to consider victim compensation in form of provision of shelter, livelihood empowerment and community reconstruction in general.
In the same location, Maryam Shaibu, a victim of insurgency narrated how her husband was gruesomely killed by Boko Haram insurgents and how she was also shot in the leg, a situation which turned her into a crippled widow at a tender age with 4 children to single-handedly cater for.
Amina Abubakar, a member of the host community gave a rundown of how she was able to reconcile and integrate 6 repentant combatants who were brought from operation safe corridor. She pledged her commitment to do more for her community saying that she will leverage on the platform of the transitional justice project to play her role in reconciling the repentant insurgents with their community.
Earlier in her welcome address at the event, the acting state coordinator of the NHRC in Adamawa state, Ms. Grace Mamza reiterated the objectives of the project saying it is aimed at promoting reconciliation, reintegration and transitional justice in the seven communities in the North East.
She said the project intends to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram insurgents who have gone through the process of de-radicalization in operation safe corridor in Gombe state. She said the project is community-based, stressing that its success can only be achieved by the full cooperation of community members.
Similarly in Yobe state, Alhaji Adamu, a religious leader and who also doubles as an Imam at his Royal Highness, the Emir of Gujba’s Mosque stated that reconciliation (Sulhu) is very important to all Muslims but while making efforts for reconciliation, government should also consider the situation of those who are direct victims of the insurgency.
He expressed optimism that reconciliation would certainly be accepted in other parts of the community when the needs of those affected by the conflict are addressed. As a scholar, he said he has the belief that forgiveness is good and also urges believers to forgive as stated in the holy books.
Pastor Suleman Ibrahim Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria Yobe state chapter, has a different approach; he affirms that government should not bring the repentant Boko Harams back to the returned community now since the wounds have not healed. He rather suggested that a special place should be established for the resettlement of the repentant Boko Haram members. He argued that returning the insurgents to a community where they have committed atrocities is just a means of opening up an unhealed wound.
While Aisha Yusuf, a woman leader in Buni Yadi town maintained that they are ready and willing to accept the repentant and surrendered members being their children. However, she called on the government to reconstruct the damaged structures in the community to enable peace to reign.
He also said Islam preaches the importance of reconciliation between contending parties. He went further to explain the Islamic doctrine and cited the relevant verse of the Holy Quran and the prophetic hadith on the importance of reconciliation and the need to work with the Commission towards realizing its set goals.
The representative of the district Head of Banki who is also the village Head, Mallam Wakil Mustapha commend the Commission for identifying with his community in the transitional justice project. He said the project is timely since the people are returning to their communities due to the prolonged displacement that has resulted from the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
Communities like Gwoza, Konduga, Bama and Mongonu are hopeful and willing to support the transitional justice project for the benefit of their communities.
