Two deradicalized female Boko Haram members, Fatima Musa and Bintu, have spoken out about why some repentant terrorists return to the bush.
Musa and Bintu, who underwent deradicalization and resettled in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno, shared their stories during a community dialogue on understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
Musa revealed that she regrets shredding her National Certificate in Education and joining the insurgency at a young age after being misled. “We were misled as young people through the use of religion and later discovered that we went the wrong way after we were deradicalized by the foundation,” she said.
Musa also expressed her desire to reach out to her father, who is now in a neighboring country, to beg for his forgiveness for joining the sect against his wish.
“One of my prayers for now is to reach out to my father, who is now in a neighboring country, to beg for his forgiveness for joining the sect against his wish,” she said.
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Bintu on her part, pleaded for forgiveness from the people of Mafa and urged support for the foundation to reach out to more women and men in the bush. Bintu pointed out that some repentants return to the bush due to stigma and harassment, saying, “If you keep telling people they are doomed, they’ll say since there’s no forgiveness, they had better go back and continue.”
Bintu also highlighted the challenges faced by repentants, including stigma, harassment, and lack of support. “Some of the surrendered have easy money and others loot in the bush. They are struggling for survival with other citizens in their communities. Such repentants need to be encouraged to start a new life to sustain it,” she said.
Residents of Mafa and the leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Mafa, Babagana Butu, also spoke at the meeting, urging the government to do more on the deradicalization and resettlement process through more empowerment support to victims and those who repented.
Butu said, “We patrol the area together. We provided them with farmlands to cultivate like everyone as part of the reintegration process. We want the government to also remember them in its empowerment programmes to enable them to sustain themselves and their families as well as contribute positively to the society.”
The Executive Director of the foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said the dialogue was organized to discuss issues arising from the reintegration process and the way forward regarding challenges faced.
“We want to ensure that the repentants are fully integrated into society and do not return to their previous ways,” she said.
A lecture on Islamic ruling on peace, reconciliation, and peaceful co-existence was delivered by a Consultant and Peace Mediator, Shiekh Ali Mustapha. He emphasized the importance of forgiveness and second chances, saying, “Islam teaches us to forgive and give second chances. We should not reject those who have repented and are willing to start anew.”
The dialogue ended with a call to action, urging the government, civil society organizations, and individuals to support the reintegration process and ensure that repentants are fully supported to start a new life.
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