By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The troops under the theatre command ‘Operation Safe Corridors’ has handed over to the Borno state Rehabilitation centre to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society 86 repentant Boko Haram child fighters who had voluntarily surrendered to the troops of operation Lafiya Dole operating in the North Eastern part of the country.
A statement by Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Acting Director Defence Information made available to Enugu Reporters said this is to ensure that minors and other repentant Boko Haram fighters in the North East are given the necessary support and opportunity to embrace peace and reunite with the society.
According to the statement, the repentant child fighters were expected to undergo comprehensive Child Care Programme sponsored and organized by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The child fighters who are between ages 10 19 are part of over 1,370 Boko Haram fighters who have so far surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. After a thorough profiling and screening, the minors were considered suitable for the 6 months De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-integration (DRR) programme.
The statement further explained that the arrangement is also on top gear to transfer another set of 500 repentant insurgents to Operation Safe Corridor for DRR Programme.
According to Col. Onyema, the handover ceremony was witnessed by the Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo and UNICEF Official, Mr Clement Adams.
The duo congratulated the surrenderees for laying down their arms and urged them to take advantage of the DRR programme to turn a new leaf and abandon the senseless struggle.
Operation Safe Corridor is a Defence Headquarters led non-kinetic multi-national and multi-agency humanitarian operation conducted in tandem with extant international humanitarian laws to encourage willing and repentant Boko Haram terrorists in the North East to shun violent extremism. The operation is designed to also de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate repentant Boko Haram combatants who willingly surrender to troops.
The scheme is a global model that enjoys collaboration and support from local and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as Multi-national Organisations, such as, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and North East Regional Initiative (NERI).
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to use this medium to call on willing Boko Haram fighters to abandon the futile struggle and surrender to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
He further assured those who voluntarily surrender to troops of safety and will also benefit from the Operation Safe Corridor de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration programme.
The AFN is further committed to its strict adherence to the rules of engagement and other extant laws especially as it relates to minors in conflict situations.
