…says bad governance, injustice force people into terrorism
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has promised to accept and integrate two repentant Boko Haram members who are indigenes of the state.
Mohammed, who stated this when he received members of the Operation Safe Corridor during a visit at the Council Chamber of the Government House Bauchi on Thursday, said the state government is ready to support the initiative to enable those involved be integrated into the society.
He regretted that people have been forced into terrorism because of injustice and bad governance adding that his administration has developed a model for interaction with stakeholders to address grievances.
The governor appealed to the management of the Operation Safe Corridor to be inclusive by engaging religious leaders in its activities so as to contribute in achieving the set objectives.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for finding it necessary to come up with the initiative, describing it as a solution to some of the insecurity challenges in the country.
He said: “I wish to welcome you to Bauchi and to appreciate you for the visit in recognition of our responsibilities as leaders.
“We thank the President for finding it necessary to establish the operation which we believe is the only solution that will accommodate, integrate these people who engage in terrorism for many perception and other reasons.
“Injustice and bad governance are some of the reasons for the involvement of people in criminal activities, but I want to request the coordinator of the operation to include religious leaders because of their influence in the society.”
The governor said his administration has already focused on addressing gaps in infrastructure and services as well as managing perceptions using strategies in an effort to meet the expectations of the citizens.
He said he would work in close collaboration with the initiative by providing them with the required tools to operate for the repentant Boko Haram members to be useful members of the society assuring that “be rest assure of our support to ensure all those involved are integrated into the society.”
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Operation Safe Corridor, Major General MB Shafa said the visit was to brief the Governor on the activities of the initiative and to solicit for his support for better performance.
He said the operation has embarked on a tour to states of the North East in preparation for the re-integration of those who have been in training for the past six months.
“In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari established Operation Safe Corridor at a time when the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other Security Agencies were making significant gains in tackling insecurity in the northeast region.
“The President in his wisdom, saw the need to encourage those willing and repentant to lay down their arms and embrace peace so as to be rehabilitated and integrated into the society.
“Operation Safe Corridor with representatives from 17 different MDA’s, 468 staff, two out of its participants who will be graduated this coming Saturday are from Bauchi state.”
According to him, the operation is a multi-agency humanitarian initiative guided by international, humanitarian and human right laws.
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