Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno says if the government did not accept ‘repentant’ Boko Haram insurgents, they would join another terrorist group.

The governor noted that the people of Borno had two choices available to them: either to accept the ‘repentant’ insurgents or reject them and create a situation where they will join another terrorist group and continue to fight.

“On my way travelling to Gwoza and Bama, I saw many people cultivating their farmlands by the roadside, and this is an indication of emerging peace, which we have to sustain in order to salvage our people,” said the governor. “However, as I said, we must come together to carefully analyse the two extremes and come up with a workable framework.”

The governor explained that he would have high-level consultations with the Presidency, service chiefs, residents, security heads, traditional rulers, victims of the insurgents, elders, and religious leaders, among others, on the best way forward.

Mr Zulum, in a broadcast, described the development as an opportunity that should be harnessed, adding that it is part of the “sulhu (reconciliation) programme” organised with the support of security agencies to help those willing to surrender to do so.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to harness. There is a need for all and sundry to give support to this initiative,” he stated.

Mr Zulum lauded the military and other security agencies for their professionalism.