…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
President Tinubu Contemplates Ending Rehabilitation Program for Repentant Boko Haram Insurgents
President Bola Tinubu is reportedly considering discontinuing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration Programme for repentant Boko Haram insurgents due to its significant financial burden.
The Nigerian government is contemplating redirecting its focus from this costly amnesty program to strengthening military operations in the Northeast, with the aim of expediting the end of the insurgency.
Relocation Plans and Previous Statistics
As part of these considerations, preparations are underway to transfer another 1,000 insurgents from a detention facility in Kainji, Niger State, to a rehabilitation center in Gombe State.
In January, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Godwin Irabor, disclosed that over 83,000 insurgents had surrendered to the Nigerian Army through the Operation Safe Corridor program.
Out of those, 613 individuals were undergoing de-radicalization and rehabilitation under the OPSC.
Challenges and Doubts about Effectiveness
Despite these numbers, there have been reports of rehabilitated insurgents engaging in criminal activities or rejoining Boko Haram, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the program.
Additionally, the high costs associated with the rehabilitation efforts have fueled doubts about its sustainability. Many Nigerians oppose the rehabilitation of insurgents, arguing that they should face justice for their actions instead.
Tinubu’s Potential Plan to End Amnesty
A high-ranking official, speaking to Punch, confirmed that President Tinubu is considering ending the amnesty for insurgents based on these concerns and the “huge financial burden” associated with the program.
In the 2023 budget, the Federal Government allocated N2.4 billion for two rehabilitation centers catering to repentant Boko Haram members and other terrorist groups.
However, the future of these projects and the entire program remains uncertain.
Uncertain Future and Presidential Perspective
A reliable source within the presidency stated, “The President may not want to toe that line.
There’s so much that has gone into rehabilitating repentant terrorists already.
And it’s quite expensive to maintain.
He may not continue with it.”
The potential decision by President Tinubu marks a shift in the approach to addressing the issue of insurgency in Nigeria and raises questions about the future of the rehabilitation program.