A ‘repentant’ Boko Haram member from Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, has appealed to Nigerians to accept him and other ex-fighters as they seek a fresh start after years of insurgency.
In a viral video aired by News Century TV, the ex-fighter said he and many others did not join Boko Haram voluntarily. He said they were forcibly conscripted after the group captured Bama town.
“Residents who remained in the town after its capture were left with little or no choice but to submit to the authority of the terrorists,” he said.
“We did not join Boko Haram voluntarily. When they captured Bama, many of us were forced into their ranks,” he added.
He appealed for understanding and forgiveness, insisting he and others who laid down their arms are committed to peace and lawful living.
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He assured the public he would never return to terrorism, saying the horrors of insurgency convinced him to reject violence permanently.
The ex-fighter pledged that he and his colleagues would cooperate with security agencies and government authorities to restore normalcy and lasting peace.
“We are asking Nigerians to accept us. We have changed and we will never go back to terrorism again. We are ready to work with the authorities for peace and a better Nigeria,” he said.
The video has sparked debate over the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programmes, with Nigerians divided on welcoming repentant Boko Haram members back into communities.
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