The Senate has on February 20 began moves to establish an agency that would see to the rehabilitation, deradicalisation and integration of repentant insurgents in the country.
A bill, sponsored by Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe East senatorial district, was read for the first time on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, February 20.
The bill also offers further concession to Boko Haram militants who choose to cease fire.
Read Also: Nigerians Cry Out As Borno State Government Releases 1,400 Repentant Boko Haram Members
Last month, the Nigerian military said no fewer than 680 repentant Boko Haram insurgents were undergoing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under its Operation Safe Corridor in Malam-Sidi, Gombe State.
The repentant insurgents were said to have been exposed to formal literacy classes, skills acquisition and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) as well as drug and psycho-therapists during their training.
A group of Borno elders, led by ex-governor Kashim Shettima, last year, had frowned at the initiative, saying the military’s operation was not well thought out.
They feared that releasing the purported repentant Boko Haram militants into civilian population could be counterproductive as hardened fighters would return to the terror group to commit more atrocities.
The elders urged President Buhari to approve the suspension of the programme.
Despite criticisms, about 1,400 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were recently released by the federal government.
