Boko Haram survivors in Borno seek protection against stigmatization

Boko Haram survivors, victims and deradicalised women in Borno have sought protection against any form of stigmatization in the country.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Wednesday during a Public Presentation of Charters of Demands from Survivors, Victims & De-Radicalized Women in Borno State Organised by Allamin Foundation for Peace & Development, Dr. Balami Lawan, Expert in public health and community intervention programs, said the survivors of Boko Haram insurgency are experiencing stigma which is detrimental to their mental health.

He noted that the survivors, victims and deradicalised women of the Boko Haram insurgency are seeking prosecution and punishment of any person or group of persons who stigmatize them.

According to him, the victims are urging the government at all levels and other stakeholders to support them by protecting their Fundamental Right to Dignity and Freedom of Association as provided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“It is very common in Borno state to see some people in the communities stigmatizing the survivors of Boko Haram insurgency especially those who surrendered and are ready to accept new life.

“The deradicalised women are not getting married because of the stigma and other related issues in the society”.

Reviewing the Demands from Survivors, Victims & De-Radicalized Women of Allamin Foundation for Peace & Development, Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu of the Mass Communication Department, University of Maiduguri said forgiveness and acceptability is part of the reconciliation and rehabilitation as well as restoration process of Borno state after the Boko Haram insurgency.

“You cannot fight violence with violence, we cannot continue to fight endlessly and living in the bush and suffering, what is the purpose ?, That’s why so many of are surrendered and came back. They need to be rehabilitated and taken care of so that it will come into an end and the violence will end.

“And I think the society has learned a big lesson that through negligence, carelessness and inefficient administration of mercenaries of government, we found ourselves in this situation and now people are saying look we can continue in this situation, that’s why they are saying there must justice while you deal with the victims also deal with the perpetrators, solve their problems”.

“There are people at the grassroots who because of the insurgency have lost their livelihood and these people are in a very poor state, the level of poverty is very high l, so it is very good to pay attention to them, government should go beyond providing humanitarian services to these people and actually organising communities for those things that are very productive when you are doing skill acquisition for the perpetrators even at the lower level the community people need some of these things”.

Presenting the document, the Borno state commissioner of women affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, urged all the stakeholders to strictly follow the provisions of the document for the development of Borno state.

She assured that the state government is ready to accept suggestions from individuals and stakeholders which would help in supporting the mass surrender of Boko Haram insurgents.

Also speaking the founder of the Allamin Foundation, Hamsatu Allamin said the Borno state government is doing its best in tackling challenges facing survivors, victims and deradicalised women in the state.

“This is a clarion call to the larger society so that collectively as individuals and Organisations, we can come in and to support the laudable efforts of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum who is the chief security officer in the state, to avoid future occurrence of another insecurity in the state”, said Allamin.