Why Repentant Boko Haram Insurgents Must Be Prosecuted – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has called for the prosecution of some members of the dreaded Boko Haram Insurgents who decide to surrender.

Naija News reports that thousands of terrorists have recently dropped arms and submitted themselves to the Nigerian troops.

Reports have also emerged that the government is planning to de-radicalise, rehabilitate and reintegrated back into the society.

Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, Ndume insisted that terrorists who have killed should be investigated and prosecuted.

Ndume said: “There is a national law that should guide all these and there is international law that guides this because this is not the first time we’re having this sort of challenge in various countries.

“Normally, when you get to war level, you are expected to either defeat the enemy or the enemy surrenders. Once the enemy surrenders, you lose the right of summarily executing him because he is an enemy. You also don’t have the right to summarily declare him innocent and say, oh, you have sinned, go and sin no more.

“What I’m saying initially and I still maintain this position, in as much as we welcome the surrendering of Boko Haram, it is very important that we follow the due process, according to the law of the land and the international law.

“That is to say, take them in, profile them, process them, investigate them, interrogate them and then those that are innocent, should be let go, and those that have blood on their hands, they should be appropriately prosecuted.

“Once the person surrenders, now, he has an advantage. Once you surrender, you cannot just be summarily convicted, you will be given the right to go to court and declare your innocence or otherwise. That is what I’m asking for.”