-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO:
THE Borno Emirate Council has clarified the position of it’s Shehu, Alhaji Garbai El-Kanemi on the reabsorption of repentant Boko Haram into the society.
The people of the emirate have lost several thousands of souls among them traditional chiefs to the insurgency which has ravaged large part of the North East for over a decade.
But the surrender of many of the insurgents in recent days have brought new twist to the crisis with many of the people of the area having divided views on what treatment should be melted on the so called repentant Boko Haram members.
Many are of the opinion that they cannot be trusted and should be made to face the full wrath of the law for their actions, with few others pleading that they should be allowed back into the society in order to encourage the other insurgents still in the trenches to lay down their arms.
As this debate was still ongoing, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai El-Kanemi was reported to have said there is no place for repentant insurgents in his emirate. He was said to have insisted that they should be made to face the punishment for their atrocities.
But a statement on Thursday by the Secretary of the Borno Emirate Council, Alhaji Zanna Laisu Kazalma reacting to the publication, said the paramount ruler never made such publicized comment.
He said: “The Borno Emirate Council wish to refer to recent social media report circulating with regards to the acceptance of repented Boko Haram members for their re- integration into the community in Borno State under the OPERATION SAFE CORRIDOR. It may be recalled that the Commander of the Operation was in the Shehu’s Palace where consultations were held with Council members and all District Heads in the Emirate in which varied comments and opinions were expressed on the fate of the repented Haramists.
“The Committee/ Commander gave each and every member the opportunity/room to respond on the subject. On the whole the meeting commended the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army for the good initiative towards restoration of peace in Borno State and the North East generally.
“However, after careful discussing/hearing from those present, His Royal Highness the Shehu of Borno Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El- Kanemi, CFR while moderating on the various comments and opinions, he advised that Government should appoint High Powered Committee of Elders, the Military, religious and political leaders, academicians and scholars etc. for wide consultations, enlightenment and publicity towards the acceptance of those who laid down their arms for peace to rein while restoring the confidence of those offended in the course of the insurgency.”
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