Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration goes operational
Some thirteen hectares of land has been secured in the Far North Region to construct vocational centers meant to train ex fighters of Boko Haram.
Cynthia EFOPA
Following the Head of State decree creating the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission for ex-fighters of Boko Haram and armed separatists of the North West and South West Regions who voluntarily dropped their guns, the authorities of the Far North Region have already secured a thirteen hectares piece of land at Meme stretching towards Mora in the Mayo Sava Division. The area is meant to host some one hundred Cameroon ex-fighters of the Boko Haram terrorist group. Before now, the ex-fighters who were under custody for over one year were at the barracks of the first sector of the Multi National Joint task Force in Mora.
The Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakary, has called on all the fighters of the sect to voluntarily lay down their arms so that they could be taken care of by the state and reinserted in the normal social strata of life. He reiterated that the exercise is not an illusion but a reality that is aimed at given them another opportunity to carry on with a peaceful life. He guaranteed the reconverts that they will be protected in all domains and the administration will create an enabling environment to help them learn a trade or get involved in farming for a livelihood.
Traditional authorities and residents of villages that have been gravely destroyed by the violent activities of Boko Haram were equally sensitized to forgive the reconverts and give them a chance to repent. Is it not said that to forgive is divine! They were encouraged to preach to their children who are still operating within the sect to lay down their arms for a better tomorrow. The thirteen hectares of land will be used to construct vocational centers and mapped out farmlands where the reconverts will get trained and thereafter work to end a sustainable life.
The National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee is headed by Fai Yengo Francis who was appointed by a presidential decree and he is tasked to organize, supervise and reintegrate ex-fighters of Boko Haram and armed groups in the North West and South West Regions of the country willing to respond favorably to the Head of State’s peace appeal to lay down their arms.
