A former Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has asked the federal government to stop the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members.
Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, made this known on Wednesday during the budget defense session with the Nigerian Army.
The Senator opined that deradicalizing repentant Boko Haram members is a misplacement of priority, stressing that the government should focus on resettling the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in various camps across the North.
He, however, alleged that the recent terrorist attack in Damboa was orchestrated by a repentant Boko Haram member. Ndume said the repentant insurgent was feeding his former colleagues information regarding the movement of the army.
Speaking further, Ndume opined that it is unfair for the government to lavish its resources on ex-Boko Haam insurgents who threaten the peace of the nation and not those affected by the insurgency.
He also urged the federal government to keep arrested insurgents as prisoners of war, adding that in due time they can be profiled and tried in accordance with the law.
Ndume, however, kicked against the Boko Haram bill aimed at creating an agency for repentant terrorists. According to the lawmaker, the bill will embolden the insurgents since they are sure of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
