Several so-called repentant Boko Haram terrorists are backsliding because they are judged as being condemned to eternal damnation despite their contrition, says a former extremist.

The former Boko Haram member, identified only as Bintu, said this in Maiduguri during a community dialogue on understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence organised for Mafa’s repentants and community leaders.

The dialogue was organised by a community-based NGO, Allamin Foundation, with support from UKaid.

The deradicalised female terrorist begged for forgiveness from the people of Mafa and urged for support to the foundation to reach out to more women and men in the bush.

Ms Bintu pointed out that a few cases of some repentants returning to the bush had to do with stigma and harassment by some people, telling them that they were doomed for hellfire despite their repentance.

“If you keep telling people they are doomed, they’ll say since there’s no forgiveness, they had better go back and continue. Some of the surrendered have easy money, and others loot in the bush. (But) They are struggling for survival with other citizens in their communities. Such repentants need to be encouraged to start a new life to sustain it,” Ms Bintu said.

Another repentant female Boko Haram member who underwent deradicalisation and resettled in Mafa LGA, Borno, Fatima Musa, said she regretted destroying her National Diploma Certificate (NCE).

Ms Musa, who was deradicalised with other repentant terrorists by the foundation, said many of them joined the insurgency at a young age after they were misled.

“We were misled as young people through the use of religion and later discovered that we went the wrong way after we were deradicalised by the foundation. We met with clerics who put us on the right track regarding Islam. We are now mature and more knowledgeable on Islam and the teachings of the Holy Prophet that promote peace and tolerance.

“I regret tearing my NCE certificate up when I made the mistake of accepting the twisted ideology that Western education was Haram. One of my prayers for now is to reach out to my father, who is now in a neighbouring country, to beg for his forgiveness for joining the sect against his wish,” she said.

Some residents of Mafa, who also spoke at the meeting, urged the government to do more on the deradicalisation and resettlement process through more empowerment support to victims and those who repented in line with transitional justice. 

The leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Mafa, Babagana Butu, said members of the force now include some of the repentant insurgents.

The foundation’s executive director, Hamsatu Allamin, said the dialogue was organised to discuss issues arising from the reintegration process and the way forward regarding challenges faced.

(NAN)