Repentant Boko Haram member regrets destroying Diploma

Fatima Musa, a former Boko Haram member who has undergone deradicalization, expressed deep regret over destroying her National Diploma Certificate (NCE) during her time with the insurgent group.

Now resettled in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, Musa shared her experience during a community dialogue in Maiduguri, organized by the Allamin Foundation with support from the UK government.

Musa, who joined Boko Haram at a young age, revealed how she and others were misled into believing that Western education was forbidden.

“We were misled as young people through the use of religion and later discovered that we went the wrong way after were deradicalised by the foundation.

“We met with clerics who put us on the right track regarding Islam. We are now matured and more knowledgeable on Islam and the teachings of the Holy Prophet that promotes peace and tolerance.

“I tore my NCE certificate in my misguided belief, but now I understand the true teachings of Islam, which promote peace and tolerance,” she said, adding that her greatest wish is to reconcile with her father, who opposed her joining the sect.

Another deradicalized woman, Bintu, also pleaded for forgiveness from the people of Mafa, highlighting the stigma and harassment faced by some repentants.

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Bintu pointed out that few cases of some repentants returning to the bush had to do with stigma and harassment by some people, telling them that they were doomed for hell fire inspite of their repentance.

“If you keep telling people they are doomed, they’ll say since there’s no forgiveness, they had better go back and continue.

“Some of the surrendered have easy money and others loot in the bush. They are struggling for survival with other citizens in their communities.

She emphasized the importance of community support to prevent individuals from returning to insurgency.

Community leaders, including the Civilian Joint Task Force in Mafa, called on the government to enhance empowerment programs for reintegrated insurgents to ensure their successful transition back into society.

The dialogue also featured a lecture on Islamic teachings related to peace and reconciliation.

The leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Mafa, Babagana Butu, said members now include some of the repentant insurgents.

“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 sustain themselves and their families as well as contribute positively to the society,” Butu said.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of the foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said the dialogue was organised  to discuss issues arising from the reintegration process and the way forward regarding challenges faced.

A lecture on Islamic ruling on peace, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence was deliveered by a Consultant and Peace Mediator, Shiekh Ali Mustapha