Intervention: Read what Europe is going to do to captured Boko Haram terrorists
– The European Union says it is committed towards rehabilitating Boko Haram terrorists captured
– It donated money towards the de-radicalisation of terrorists
– It says it hopes it will extend to other soon-to-be captured terrorists
The European Union has allocated 67 million euro for the rehabilitation and re-integration of captured Boko Haram terrorists.
In an interview with NAN, Mr Richard Young who is the deputy head of the EU delegation to Nigeria said the money which is about N20 billion was to support Nigeria its de-radicalisation project.
Nigeria recently launched the De-radicalisation Programme Guide which was prepared under the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges and launched by the national security adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.
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Young explained that it was part of EU’s plan to address the issue of insurgency in the north east.
He said: “I will call what EU is spending on this project substantial amount of money, it is millions. I will say it’s about 67 million euro.
“This is the amount that has been allocated. But this covers all the different aspects and support to the country’s violent extremism programme.
“So it goes beyond just the de-radicalisation programme.”
He explained that it was still in its early stage but said it will soon be owned and controlled by the Nigerian government.
“It’s designed to crystalyse certain thinking and thought; it will come to an end soon, but it is being continued with finance from the Nigerian government.
“We are also at the same time, discussing or just initiated discussions with the Nigerian Government about what form of support we might provide in this area.”
“We all know that Nigeria faces insurgency in the North East of the country and there are different responses to that insurgency.
“There is military response, there is the intelligence response, there is the developmental and economic response, there is a humanitarian response, the whole element of tackling that insurgency.
“But one element that is important to that is what you do with the people who are captured, who have been practicing violent extremism in their attitude and behavior.”
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Young said the issue of what to do to Boko haram members who have been captured was what necessitated the programme.
“The programme seeks, in effect, to de-radicalise them to find a pathway for them away from violent extremism, so that they can, in due course have more socially-constructive attitude.
“Through de-radicalisation, they can be re-integrated back into the population.
“So this programme is just one element of the overall approaches of dealing with the insurgency in the North East Nigeria,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the programme would extend to other soon-to-be captured terrorists.
He said: “I heard the other day, an announcement by a Brigadier from the Nigerian Army about a large number of people, about 800, that have been captured.
“He was talking about how he’s going to manage these people in terms of de-radicalisation, training and possible re-integration,”
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