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Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace,  Development

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Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace,  Development 

By Melvin Uche

Basic Rights Watch, a non- governmental organisation (NGO) has called on Borno State government to adopt Transitional Justice (TJ) in its Post- insurgency era as a pathway to peace and development in the state. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Basic Rights Watch,  Mr Austine Ekwujuru made the call while addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Ekwujuru noted that the steady decline in Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria, particularly Borno State indicates that the country is gradually moving towards the post-insurgency era, hence the urgent need to find pathways to lasting peace and development for the affected populace. 

He said as such, there is no better approach than the deployment of a robust Transitional Justice (TJ) mechanism to ensure sustainable pathways to peace, healing, accountability, and development. 

He said Transitional Justice is crucial for the promotion of human rights and justice, peace and security, good governance and development, noting that the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 underscores the importance of these ideals as part of the drive towards the ‘Africa-We-Want’. 

“Transitional justice (TJ) consists of judicial and non-judicial measures implemented in order to redress legacies of human rights abuses. Such measures could “include truth commissions, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms amongst others. TJ is informed by a society’s desire to rebuild social trust, repair a fractured justice system and ensure accountability after a prolonged conflict.

“The consortium Basic Rights Watch, the People, Young Professionals in Policy and Development and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution today urge the Borno State government to consider Transitional Justice mechanism in the post-insurgency era as a pathway to sustainable peace and development in the state.

“TJ has recently received greater attention by both academics and policymakers. It has also generated interest in the fields of political and legal discourse. In periods of political transitions, from authoritarian, dictatorial regimes or from civil conflicts to democracy, TJ has often provided opportunities for such societies to address past human rights abuses, mass atrocities, or other forms of severe trauma in order to facilitate a smooth transition into a more democratic or peaceful future.

“In Nigeria, after the transition process from military regime to a democratic regime, a Truth and Reconciliation Panel was set up called the Oputa panel. In South Africa, after the Apartheid regime, a truth and reconciliation panel was set up headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Other TJ processes include the Gacaca courts in Rwanda, which helped in promoting truth and justice in their community. In Sierra Leone, there was the Fambul Tor aimed at reconciliation and forgiveness in communities that were affected by a long-running civil war. 

“In Liberia, there was the Palaver Hut, all locally driven initiatives. Following the Boko Haram insurgency and the counter-insurgency, there were cases of human rights violations and abuses in the North East particularly in Borno state by both state and non-state actors.  Therefore, there is need for TJ mechanisms aimed at healing, accountability, reconciliation and forgiveness. 

“The concept of TJ is therefore a necessary step in moving from a divided and painful past to a commonly shared and developed future. The core values of TJ include but are not limited to: Acknowledgement of responsibility and the suffering of victims; Showing remorse; Asking for forgiveness;  Paying compensation or making reparation; Reconciliation,” Ekwujuru said.  

He noted that the concerted efforts of the government to tackle insurgency especially in Borno state is yielding the desired results as noted in the de-escalation of violence, but however observed that, the human rights violations that trailed the operations of the insurgents and the counter-insurgency made the young people to be targets of harassments, torture and brutality. 

He said that these have left an indelible mark on their psyche and ignited a mood to seek justice as a critical pathway for sustainable peace.

Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace,  Development

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Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Informant, Intercept Logistics Supplies in Borno

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Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Informant, Intercept Logistics Supplies in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected terrorist informant and logistics supplier during a patrol operation in Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect was apprehended at about 11:23 a.m. on April 22 by troops of 192 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at E Company, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Pulka, under Operation Hadin Kai.

The arrest was made while the troops were conducting patrol and route clearance operations along major access routes into Pulka.

According to the sources, the suspect, identified as Abba Abdullahi, 37, and a member of a local vigilante group, was intercepted while allegedly conveying logistics supplies from Pulka to suspected ISWAP terrorist enclaves along the Pulka–Wurutakure road in the Dure axis.

Items recovered from the suspect include five wrappers, six detergents, three hijabs, three skirts, three rat fumigation tablets, five cans of energy drink, two large loaves of bread, and 10 packs of seasoning.

Military authorities said the suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action.

They noted that the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and deny insurgents access to supplies.

Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Informant, Intercept Logistics Supplies in Borno

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Army Reunites Rescued Women, Children with Families in Borno

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Army Reunites Rescued Women, Children with Families in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has successfully reunited nine rescued captives, comprising women and children, with their families following a recent rescue operation in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were earlier rescued by troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion deployed in Ngoshe under Operation Hadin Kai, as part of ongoing operations tagged Desert Sanity.

The reunification ceremony took place at about 4:00 p.m. on April 22 in Ngoshe community, where families and residents turned out in large numbers to receive the victims.

The event was witnessed by representatives of the District Head of Ngoshe and other community stakeholders.

Sources said the atmosphere was marked by visible relief and joy, as residents celebrated the safe return of the women and children who had been held in captivity by terrorists.

The rescued victims include Mrs Zainab Umar (22), Aisha Abubakar (20), Aisha Audu (20), Aisha Idris (17), and another Aisha Abubakar (16), who was reportedly forced into marriage by a terrorist commander.

Others are Aisha Musa (10), Musa Umar (6), and two toddlers.

Following the reunification, the victims were documented and taken to a community clinic for medical examination and further care.

Military authorities said the successful rescue and reunification illustrates ongoing efforts to protect civilians and restore normalcy in conflict-affected areas.

Army Reunites Rescued Women, Children with Families in Borno

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Troops Foil Boko Haram Attack, Rescue Nine Captives in Mandara Mountain in Borno

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Troops Foil Boko Haram Attack, Rescue Nine Captives in Mandara Mountain in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled an attempted terrorist attack and successfully rescued nine captives, including women and children, in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out by troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion deployed in Ngoshe, as part of ongoing offensive operations under Operation Desert Sanity.

The sources disclosed that the troops had earlier conducted a successful rescue mission in the Mandara Mountains, freeing nine captives held by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

However, at about 10:20 a.m. on April 22, an unconfirmed number of terrorists launched a follow-up attack from the Gava axis in an apparent attempt to re-abduct the rescued victims.

The troops responded with what was described as disciplined and coordinated firepower, decisively repelling the attackers and foiling their attempt.

Military authorities said the swift response ensured the safety of the rescued captives, preventing a potential reversal of the successful rescue operation.

Preliminary investigations further revealed that one of the rescued victims, a 16-year-old girl identified as Aisha Abubakar, had been forced into marriage by a terrorist commander known as Dabbaba.

The suspect was reportedly formerly in Ngoshe and later returned to terrorist ranks in the Mandara Mountains.

All rescued individuals were administered first aid and are currently in the custody of the troops for further care and debriefing.

Sources added that the general security situation across the theatre remains relatively calm but unpredictable, with troops maintaining high morale and operational effectiveness.

The military high command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, rescuing hostages, and denying terrorists elements freedom of action in the North East.

Troops Foil Boko Haram Attack, Rescue Nine Captives in Mandara Mountain in Borno

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