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Stop Reintegrating Ex-Boko Haram Into Society, Ndume Warns
The Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has kicked against the reintegration of ex-Boko Haram fighters into society.
Ndume, who made this assertion while speaking on a BBC Hausa service programme, asked the government to stop rehabilitating ex-insurgents, arguing that they would never repent.
The Nigeria military has since 2016 been running Operation Safe Corridor, an initiative for the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-Boko Haram fighters.
The aim of the operation, the military had also said, is to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into society.
About 600 ex-Boko Haram members completed a de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration (DRR) programme in July.
Ndume said, “This government’s programme is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it, forthwith.
“Not that they even apologised to you, they apologised to the government with the thinking that government has failed, and that is why they are being pampered. They are like Kharajites.
“Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent. The government should know what to do about them. But not re-introducing someone to you, who has killed your parents, or your relations. If there is the sincerity of purpose in this, those in the IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again”.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Army alleged that one of the repentant terrorists freed by the Nigerian military has already murdered his father.
“If the government is serious about a programme like this, it should start with the victims first and not the perpetrators”, he said.
“The so-called deradicalised are released into society, there is no monitoring device. One of them that came back killed his father and took away his two cows.”
It would be recalled that earlier in the week, the Defence Headquarters, reintegrated 601 ex-Boko Haram fighters into the society.
No fewer than 14 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger were part of those released from the DRR Camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State.
The Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Maj-Gen Bamidele Shafa, said: “The clients went through documentation processes to obtain vital background information and were subjected to comprehensive medical screening to determine their health status.”
Shafa added that their DNA samples were collected and biometrics captured by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for future references.
But Borno residents had reportedly kicked against reintegration.
Instead of bringing them back to society, the residents had said they should be taken to the Government House.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.