''Rehabilitation Of Boko Haram Members Is A Crime!''

Last week, the Federal Government has announced its intention to guarantee rehabilitation of Boko Haram members who had voluntarily surrendered their weapons. The news came right after twelve Nigerian Army soldiers have been sentenced to death for upstaging a mutiny, and another 60 are being tried for a similar offence.

The FG’s decision was met with mixed reactions. Many Nigerians have wondered is it fair and just to kill soldiers but guarantee rehabilitation and a peaceful life for supposedly “ex” terrorists.

Naij reader Michael Ositadinma Duru, writing from Abuja, offers his own view on the controversial issue of rehabilitation offered for former terrorists.

“I keep asking myself, is this rehabilitation a thank-you package for killing and roasting innocent people, or a take-away gift for displacing people by burning their houses and worship centers? Or better still, an encouragement for being brave enough to pick up arms against the Government? Wouldn’t that mean that the aim and objectives for which Boko Haram was instituted have been achieved?

“What about the innocent Nigerian youths who are struggling to be hardworking citizens of this great nation? Those who are going to school and looking for a job? Those innovative, creative and enterprising individuals who get no support, no motivation? What about those who have died and injured themselves while applying for immigration job? What about those who are willing to die for this country by serving in the military, SSS, police, prisons, buying the uniforms with their hard-earned money? Yet, they are denied their rights. Like the great late Chinua Achebe said, truly ,Things have fallen apart.

“It seems that, by offering rehabilitation, the authorities are invariably telling us that the only way to get their attention is to be against them, pick up arms, form a deadly organisation and start killing people! The aggrieved and angry unemployed graduates who are wallowing in abject penury can be deadly.

“I remember when a Senator from Edo State proposed that stipends be paid to unemployed graduates, but some rich and inhuman people kicked against it. To me, the rationale behind the politicians’ refusal to adopt the bill was that If these youths are taken care of, what will be their campaign promises and strategies to woo these youths to vote for them? How many times have we heard or seen American, British and youths of other developed countries yearn or cry for help from their respective governments. This saying that they are the future leaders is really working for them.

“Have Nigerian youths demanded enough? What is the Ministry of Youth Development doing, or is it a mere name? Each day, as an average Nigerian youth hopes for better tomorrow, I keep asking: Is this country worth dying for? We want our country to love us just as we love her. Is the right way to stop youth restlessness is it to encourage restlessness?

“Nigerians, where are your philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, religious scientist? Rehabilitation or not, you are abetting a crime. Empower the youths and reduce crime rate. We are waiting as we sense looming revolution.”

Do you acknowledge the possibility that some Nigerian youth were misguided, lured by Boko Haram and thus deserve rehabilitation and a second chance?