By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has threatened to mobilise nationwide peaceful protests against the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram insurgents, describing the policy as dangerous and a threat to national security.

The civil rights advocacy group called for the immediate suspension of the Federal Government’s “Operation Safe Corridor” initiative, warning that continued rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists amounted to legitimising terrorism and betraying victims of insurgency.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said it would lead coordinated peaceful protests across major cities if the programme was not suspended within one month.

The group accused both the Federal Government and the Borno State Government of prioritising the rehabilitation of former insurgents while victims of terrorism continue to suffer displacement, trauma and neglect.

“HURIWA states unequivocally that this policy has become one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s national security, territorial integrity and collective survival as a nation,” the statement said.

“The continued implementation of this programme despite growing public outrage is not only insensitive to millions of victims of terrorism but represents a monumental betrayal of the memories of innocent Nigerians slaughtered by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents over the years.”

The association argued that no responsible government should reward confessed terrorists while widows, displaced families, orphaned children and survivors of insurgency struggle without adequate support.

“It is shocking that while widows of fallen soldiers, displaced families, orphaned children and communities destroyed by insurgency continue to suffer neglect, confessed terrorists are allegedly receiving financial rewards, rehabilitation packages, vocational training and reintegration opportunities funded by taxpayers’ money,” HURIWA stated.

The group also raised concerns over allegations contained in a trending video involving an alleged beneficiary of the rehabilitation programme, which reportedly claimed that surrendered Boko Haram fighters received financial incentives after undergoing deradicalisation.

According to HURIWA, the individual alleged that some former insurgents received up to N3 million after completing rehabilitation despite allegedly admitting involvement in killings and terror attacks.

The association further referenced claims in the video alleging links between some rehabilitated insurgents and illegal mining operations in Algeria, allegedly facilitated by politically connected persons.

“These allegations, if proven true, expose a terrifying criminal-industrial network thriving under the cover of counterterrorism programmes,” the statement said.

HURIWA demanded an independent forensic investigation by agencies including the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, military intelligence authorities, the National Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission into the allegations.

The group also expressed concern over claims that some rehabilitated insurgents were allegedly categorised as persons who “cannot live without guns” and later recruited into the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“If this shocking claim is accurate, then Nigeria may have unknowingly institutionalised a dangerous revolving door in which former terrorists are recycled into armed structures without sufficient accountability, psychological evaluation or long-term monitoring,” HURIWA stated.

The rights group questioned the transparency surrounding the implementation of Operation Safe Corridor, demanding public disclosure of the number of rehabilitated insurgents, their criminal histories, monitoring structures and recidivism rates.

“Nigerians deserve answers,” HURIWA said, asking: “How many former Boko Haram members have been rehabilitated and released into society? How many returned to terrorist activities after reintegration? Why are communities often not consulted before ex-terrorists are resettled among innocent citizens?”

The association called for a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations surrounding financial benefits allegedly granted to former insurgents, criminal prosecution of ex-fighters implicated in atrocities and increased support for victims of insurgency.

“HURIWA reiterates that Nigerians possess constitutional rights to peaceful protest and democratic resistance against policies that threaten public safety,” Onwubiko said.

“Nigeria must never become a nation where terrorists are rewarded while innocent citizens are buried in silence,” the statement added.

Update news