GOVERNOR of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, says over 2,600 surrendered insurgents are now in custody but not all of them are criminals.
This is as he revealed that over 100,000 people have been killed in the 12-year insurgency ravaging the northeast.
Zulum said this today while briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Zulum noted that many of those who surrendered are women and young children who were forced to join the insurgents and trained to wield AK-47 rifles, affirming that they would be subjected to the existing laws of the country.
He explained that no law prescribes the killing of surrendered insurgents, saying that they would be trained for the purpose of reintegration.
Zulum, who declared his total support for the ongoing surrender by the insurgents, said the Borno State government was not contemplating giving the repentant terrorists any dine for them to surrender.
The governor, who said that he had been attacked by the insurgents about 50 times, also promised to support the victims of the insurgents, including those whose parents had been killed.
Governor Zulum said the whereabouts of not less than 10 percent of the indigene of the state was not known as a result of the insurgency.
The governor, who said he discussed the report of the surrender of Boko Haram insurgents with the President, said he did not see any reason why those who surrendered should be rejected.
“The report of the surrender is a very welcome development. Unless we want to continue with an endless war, I see no reason we should reject those willing to surrender,” he said.
The governor, however, added that those who have surrendered will be trained for reintegration.
He also affirmed that victims of insurgency would be well taken care of, saying, “They will not be left behind”.
