By Lillian Okenwa
Amidst the mollycoddling of ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members, while their victims who have undergone severe physical and psychological violence have received very little attention and care from the Nigerian government, survivors of insurgency in Borno state are demanding justice and reparations for the atrocities they suffered in the state.
On Wednesday, the Al-Amin Foundation for Peace and Development, a community-based Non-Governmental Organisation, convened a dialogue in Maiduguri to articulate a chartered demand for survivors, victims, and de-radicalised women of the Boko Haram insurgency.
In February 2020, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who has been representing Borno South senatorial district since 2011 publicly denounced the announcement by the military that another batch of 603 ‘repentant’ insurgents had completed their de-radicalisation programme. Ndume alleged that most of those earlier integrated into the communities had gone back to their old ways.
“Many among those released have since run away. The government should know what to do about them, but not reintroducing someone to you, who has killed your parents or your relations”, said Ndume who recounted the atrocities committed by Boko Haram in his community.
“In my village, mallams that are Muslims, not ordinary Muslims but mallams, elders above 60, were taken to an abattoir and slaughtered by Boko Haram. 75 of them…Not that they even apologised to you, they apologised to the government with the thinking that the government has failed and that is why they are being pampered. They are like Kharajites. They will never repent,” he added.
On the night of 30th April 2024, Senator Ndume’s warning came true when ‘repentant’ Boko Haram insurgents (who dressed in military uniform) invaded a police station in Maiduguri to set free eight of their colleagues who had been arrested earlier with 476 grammes of illicit substances.
“Thereafter, they went and attacked Nigeria Immigration Service and NDLEA checkpoints after the welcome to the township gate and they burnt it down,” according to the Police Public Relations Officer in Borno State, Kenneth Daso who said arrests were made. Although Daso was silent on injuries and death, there are reports of fatalities.
Hamsatu Allamin, Executive Director of the foundation, in an interview, said the dialogue aimed to ensure that every victim, survivor, and de-radicalised woman receives justice, as outlined in the three charters of transitional justice enshrined in Borno Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Allamin explained that many victims, including de-radicalised women and survivors, face stigma and isolation, urging the government and traditional and religious rulers to establish policies preventing negative societal punishment.
“We have organised this deliberately to address the plight of those affected by the insurgency and promote transitional justice and human rights,” Allamin said.
The Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, assured her ministry would continue partnering with the Allamin Foundation in achieving transitional justice in the state.
Gambo commended the foundation for organising the dialogue, which brought attention to the plight of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency. The Boko Haram insurgents have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions since 2009. The dialogue in Maiduguri is seen as a step towards addressing the grievances of survivors and promoting transitional justice in the state.
Asserting that Nigeria and the UN must help the survivors of Boko Haram, Joyce Bukuru in an article wrote:
“While the Nigerian military has rescued some girls and young women, most of them have risked the threat of death and undertaken harrowing journeys to escape their captivity. Many were subsequently unlawfully detained by the Nigerian military and almost all were left to fend for themselves. The reintegration of young women and girl survivors of Boko Haram is the focus of a report Amnesty International published earlier this year.
“Prioritizing the rights and needs of survivors like the young women and girls who have endured brutal crimes in northeast Nigeria is critical to the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. This year marks 24 years since its adoption by the United Nations Security Council.
“After surviving years of abuse by Boko Haram factions and then by the Nigerian military by some, reintegration support and access to justice remain elusive for the girls and young women associated — or perceived to be associated — with Boko Haram. As detailed in our report, they face unique and profound challenges, bearing the scars of serious human rights abuses and crimes under international law that they have suffered in Boko Haram captivity. These include rape, trafficking, forced marriage and forced pregnancies as well as unlawful military detention.
“Many girls that Amnesty International spoke with reported that the “freedom” they have experienced after escaping Boko Haram has brought new struggles. Health complications, lack of access to education and, for some, the heavy burden of stigma from their families and communities are only a few of those challenges.
“As they navigate life post-captivity, they are left trying to reclaim their rights within the confines of a deeply flawed reintegration process run by Nigerian authorities. For example, our research revealed that many of the survivors, upon returning to government-controlled areas, were overlooked by officials during a screening process that typically treated them as “Boko Haram wives” rather than recognizing them as victims of trafficking. In one transit camp intended to host “surrendered individuals,” women and children lived side by side with former Boko Haram fighters, raising serious human rights concerns, including heightened risk of sexual violence.
“Instead of seeing their legal, health, education and livelihood needs met, many girls and young women have been unlawfully detained in military custody in detention facilities and were not charged with a criminal offense. Some of them spoke about being insulted by soldiers, such as being called “Boko Haram wives” and accusing them of killing all the people in town.
“In separate research, Amnesty International found that survivors — including some of the freed Chibok girls abducted 10 years ago — were forced into marriages with former Boko Haram fighters. This scheme, organized by local authorities, was driven by a misguided effort to appease “repentant” Boko Haram fighters.
“To date, the Nigerian authorities have failed to take effective measures to uphold their international human rights obligations, including to reintegrate the girls and young women. Nigerian authorities have also failed to prosecute members of Boko Haram and the Nigerian military for crimes committed under international law against the victims.”
