Nigerian Army releases 154 ex-Boko Haram members into society

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The Nigerian Army authorities have said that 154 ex-Boko Haram members were now ready to be reintegrated into larger society following completion of their rehabilitation programme.

Army said the ex-terrorists will be handed over to their respective state authorities.
The Camp Commandant, Colonel BMG Martins, made this known at a programme organised in Gombe State on Saturday.

He pointed out that the 154 former Boko Haram fighters who arrived the camp on December 22, 2017, have completed the programme.

He said, “On arrival at the camp, they were made to go through spiritual counseling, psychotherapy and drug abuse intervention.

“They were also introduced to western education, arts, social works and sports, against Boko Haram ideologies.

“So far, the following have been with the clients that are graduating from the programme today, they were enthusiastic with the programme, the drug abuse intervention has proved effective with clients who have history of drug abuse, they showed great interest in sports, arts, vocational works and western education and their extremist ideologies are being transformed in order to conform with the acceptable norms and teachings of their religion.”

He further said that the Camp had elements from different ministries, departments and agencies who worked assiduously to achieve a common goal comprising of professionals from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Drug counsellors, clergies, interpreters, psychologists, social workers, educationists, vocational experts, sports and recreations, art therapists and medicals.