The European Union, in collaboration with Borno State Government and British Council, has trained 250 community leaders and women who were affected by Boko Haram conflicts on reconciliation and peace-building on the need to accept the repentance of Boko Haram insurgents.

The three-day training in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, centred on Trauma, Counselling and Psychology Support, with leaders and Stakeholders as participants.

The Project Manager of the British Council, Mr Emmanuel Iyaji, disclosed that the project was aimed at supporting Nigerians on conflict resolution at both the state and community levels.

Iyayi noted that the peace-building process required consultation, counselling and trauma programmes for stakeholders who have suffered burns from the crisis.

“We have trained 200 traditional rulers, including District, Ward and village heads on mediation and reintegration, as you can see how we are training additional 50 women and other stakeholders on peace-building which comprises counselling, trauma and others.

“The community leaders are resistant to the idea because they were largely not consulted in the design and delivery of the deradicalization programme. This lack of consultation has created a knowledge gap for the leaders on the content of the deradicalization programme, particularly the extent to which the programme has addressed the ideological underpinnings of the insurgency.

“The expected result of the intervention is that the traditional and religious as strategic leaders and gatekeepers will understand the deradicalization programme and the need for successful reintegration for sustainable peace.

“The enhanced understanding will influence them to become advocates of reintegration and to take measures to promote community acceptance in their domains,” Iyayi explained.

One of the participants, Aisha Kyari, stressed that her perceptions have changed toward repentance fighters after the peace-building programme.

Kyari reiterated that it was important for the community to accept and allow them to live with ex-combatants because peace was sacrosanct.

“We just need to forgive them, without peace there would not be any development. So it is high time we let the past be forgotten,” Aisha said.

The programme was funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council and Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) Programme.

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