The Northern Inter faith and
Religious Organisation for
Peace has commended
President Muhammadu Buhari
for the absorption of some
members of the Civilian Joint
Taskforce known as civilian
JTF fighting the Boko Haram
insurgency in the north east
into the military and
Department of State Services
(DSS), saying such move is in
the interest of peace after
the war on terrorism has
been won.
Addressing journalists
Sunday, national cordinator
of the group, Bishop Musa
Fomson said the concern has
been how to disarm and
demobilised the youths after
circumstances compelled them
to bear arms because of the
terrorists’ insurrection.
According to Fomson, those
raising the concern were
afraid of what would happen
next when the military has
completely defeated Boko
Haram because the youths
could have become a source
of problem when they have
the skills to fight without
being gainfully employed.
He said, "But there is no
need for such fear now that
some of the former Civilian
JTF members are now
gainfully employed by being
absorbed into the Army. It is
something that can be done
for the others that are willing
to accept formal roles as
they can be absorbed in
other batches and into other
organisations. This will of
course ensure that they are
not lured into misusing the
experience and weapons
they acquired in the course
of supporting the military to
fight terrorists.
"The strategy offers multiple
advantages to the country
and must be pursued with
the necessary commitment.
The youths’ knowledge of
the locality will also ensure
that the mopping up of
defeated Boko Haram
members that are trying to
move into the society is
easier and more thorough.
"Again, we commend
President Muhammadu Buhari
as the Commander-in-Chief
for buying into this strategy
and we also commend the
military high command for
recognising and accepting
the contribution of the
youths towards the defeat of
the insurgency. We appeal
that this should be a
continuous exercise so that
the other youths that are
part of the a-hoc security
body are similarly absorbed."
He however said the
government must ensure
that the screening of those
being absorbed is thorough
to ensure their psychological
stability in view of the mental
health issues that could
have become widespread
both because of the
environment these youths
have been in and the
activities they had been
engaged in to survive that
environment.
There have been reports
that a total of 250 youths
that were once part of the
vigilante group fighting Boko
Haram terrorist better known
as Civilian-JTF have been
trained and inducted into the
Nigerian Army, with another
30 reported to have also
been absorbed into the
Department of State Services
(DSS).
Fomson said, "it is on this
ground that we want to thank
President Buhari for this
foresight. We also
acknowledge the contribution
of the military for the
success they have recorded
in turning the support of the
local population to the
country’s advantage. Had
the contributions of the
youths’ vigilante group been
rebuffed we possibly would
not be where we are today.
Our hope and belief is that
youths in any other part of
Nigeria where criminal
elements are fomenting would
realise that the ultimate
winning side is the
government side and would
thus naturally pitch their tent
with our security forces.
"Instead of joining forces
with those with evil plots it is
far better to support
security agencies to fight
against them. The military
and security services have
indeed by this integration of
the former Civilian JTF
members solved some
problems that concerned
Nigerians had earlier
flagged."
He further suggested that
the authorities strongly
consider granting amnesty to
members of Boko Haram that
are not high up in its
command structure as an
incentive to make them drop
their weapons without
further human tolls.
According to him, this should
specifically target the non-
combatant elements of the
terror group and those that
were coerced into joining the
sect.
He said, "We must however
warn that the amnesty being
suggested should be aimed
at demobilising Boko Haram
members and must not be
converted into a money
dashing jamboree. It must
also be monitored in a way
that it is possible to keep
track of those that sign up
for the deal."