Borno Gov. counters Gov. El-Rufai, says terrorists have truly repented, giving govt support

Most of the repentant terrorists operating in Borno State are already giving the government the necessary support, Governor Babagana Zulum has said.

“I believe over 90% of those that have surrendered are doing well and have given the government the necessary support.

“They are also calling their colleagues in the bush to come out and join the process of peace-building,” he told State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke after the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return, and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast held at the Villa.

Persecondnews recalls that Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, had said he did not believe in rehabilitating terrorists who have surrendered

According to him, the best way to deal with terrorists is to kill them.

On whether the terrorists have truly repented, Zulum said: “Hundred percent confident. Yes. While no process is perfect in the entire world, so far, so good, the process has yielded positive results.”

Speaking on the inauguration of the committee, the governor said:“Indeed, we are so much happy, especially those of us that are in the Northeast because thousands of people were displaced, some are taking refuge in the Republic of Chad, in the Republic of Niger, Cameroon.

“And this is the time that the federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the state government, of the Northeast, will facilitate the repatriation of the internally displaced persons that are living in our neighboring countries to Nigeria.

“The committee is also to look into the management of the repentant Boko Haram members. So indeed, we are so grateful and the entire northeastern government will give maximum support to this committee.

“We will provide the necessary support to the federal government under the distinguished leadership of Mr. President.

“We shall provide on support and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and others and the military to ensure that this process yields the desired result.”

On the willingness of the refugees to return, he said: “They are over ready. They have been agitating for a return for the last two and a half years. But unfortunately, the enabling environment has not been created for that return.

“But now that the federal government has acted when all the necessary resources and materials needed to ensure their return in a dignified manner will be provided by the federal government and we remain extremely grateful.”