Insurgency: NGO Trains 59 Traditional Rulers, Others On Inclusion Of Survivors, Deradicalised Women

March 29, (THEWILL)- A non-governmental organisation has trained 59 traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders on the rights and social needs of survivors and victims of insurgency, as well as deradicalised women and girls.

The Executive Director, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, disclosed this during a one-day workshop for District Heads of the Borno Emirate Council, towards the implementation of the charter of demands from survivors, victims and deradicalised women and girls in Borno State, held in Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

Hajiya Hamsatu said the training aims to eradicate the stigma and bias associated with the survivors and guarantee their access to justice and remedies.

She disclosed that the victims endured significant trauma and human rights violations as a result of armed conflict in the North-East.

“The survivors, victims and deradicalised women make specific demands to governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and larger communities. The traditional rulers are the fillers of society.

“We had 59 district heads, some religious and other critical stakeholders for this workshop and we have gotten very important feedback from them as well as a way forward,” she said.

She said the charter aims to cater for their immediate and long-term requirements, including healthcare, psychosocial aid, legal support and social and economic reintegration.

Speaking, the District Head of Maisandari Ward, Alhaji Abba Bukar, disclosed that the survivors requested that those who were forced to join Boko Haram should not be stigmatised by traditional rulers and religious leaders in their communities.

“So, we are calling on the government and relevant authorities to consider the plight of survivors. Those who were forced into Boko Haram have now returned to their communities. We are pleading with the governments to support them.

“They want us to plead on their behalf that they should not be left behind by the government. So, as traditional rulers, we always advocate for peace and peaceful coexistence,” Abba said.

He also urged the government to be explicit on the roles of traditional rulers, noting that their hands are very much tied due to the lack of specific roles and responsibilities given to traditional rulers by the Constitution.