Ex-Boko Haram Members Protest Hunger, Poor Welfare In Maiduguri

Former Boko Haram members protested in Maiduguri on Friday, claiming they were neglected by the government. Around 6,900 had surrendered and renounced their ties to the terrorist group.

These ex-insurgents, currently in a deradicalisation program, took to the streets demanding the promised N30,000 allowance.

The demonstration led to heightened tensions and traffic jams until security forces intervened.

They voiced their disappointment to the global community and authorities, citing neglect, inadequate food, and lack of basic amenities.

The former terrorists were promised rehabilitation and a chance to rejoin society as law-abiding citizens.

Borno State’s commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, mentioned that the ‘biometrics registration’ for these repentant members resumed after the protest.

Tar said, “As normalcy restored, officials of Borno State Government have on Friday resumed the biometrics data capture of repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

“A total of 6,900 repentant insurgents are processed under the multi-agency framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation, Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Reintegration (DDDRRR) otherwise known as the “Borno Model.

“Due to a bridge in communication, those who were supposed to appear for the data capture at a later date appeared on Friday, August 18, 2023, and this led to confusion at a camp where the exercise was being conducted.

“The Borno State government wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control and normalcy has been restored at the venue of the biometric exercise.

“The incident illustrated the sensitive task which authorities face in re-inserting former fighters back into communities that have often suffered from years of attacks and kidnappings during a 13-year Islamist insurgency.”