The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has said that Boko Haram terrorists held some farmers in the state hostage, forced them to farm and bought the produce at subsidised rates.
Zulum stated this when the state government and stakeholders including security agencies met on Sunday to deliberate on ongoing surrendering by insurgents in the state.
Speaking at the meeting in Maiduguri, Zulum said the forum was to reach a common ground by the people of Borno on how to handle the situation for lasting peace in the state.
Zulum said so far about 3,000 insurgents had surrendered, adding that reports from Cameroon indicated that about 900 surrendered to the Cameroonian authorities.
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He explained that a team, comprising security agencies and other relevant organisations, had been constituted to profile the surrendered insurgents in line with international best practice.
The governor observed that over 200 farmers with their families held hostage by the insurgents were among those that surrendered.
“They (insurgents) forced such farmers to farm while they buy the produce from them at subsidised rate.
“There are also under aged children and others conscripted by the insurgents,” Zulum explained.
The Theatre Commander of “Operation Hadin Kai”, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, lauded the development, assuring that the military will continue to use the kinetic and non-kinetic approach in prosecuting the figth against insurgency.
Musa said the success of the exercise in Borno would play a vital role in finding solution to conflicts in other parts of the country.
“If we get it right here, others will take cue from us,” Musa said.
He urged the people of Borno to make maximum use of the opportunity which he described as a golden one to make the development work.
Also speaking on behalf of National Assembly members from Borno, Sen. Ali Ndume and Rep. Tahir Monguno, lauded the development and declared the support of members to make it work, including moving a motion or law if necessary to support it.
They noted that there is a United Nations law bordering those that surrendered in a conflict that would be observed in handling the issue.
They urged the Federal Government to assist Borno, particularly in funding the process of rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of victims.
A victim of the insurgents who spoke, Alhaji Modu Gujja, who lost his parents, wife and children with some of his relations still missing, said he leave vengeance to God, and would support any process that would bring lasting peace to Borno.
Others who spoke at the occassion including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Garbai, representatives of Muslims, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), organised labour, NBA, NUJ, CSOs and Women groups, welcome the development.
The stakeholders also called for a commission of truth and reconciliation in affected communities to facilitate reconciliation.