We need to build trust among the community and ex-combatants – CDD

We need to build trust among the community and ex-combatants – CDD

By: Olatunji Omirin

A nongovernmental organization Centre for Democracy and Development(CDD) has urged there is an urgent need to rebuild trust and relationships among the community and ex-combatants to facilitate the healing process in Borno State.

The Research Fellow with CDD, Prof. Mala Mustapha said this during the launching of the sanitation exercise at Hajj camp in Maiduguri on Saturday. 

Prof Mala noted that the CDD initiative would engage the community in peacebuilding and inclusion of both victims and stakeholders in the reintegration process.

“We come up with this initiative to build relationships and trust among the community and ex-combatants. There is an urgent need for it.

“We want to rebuild trust among the host community and ex-combatants, we want to change the narrative to facilitate the peacebuilding and reintegration of the ex-combatants back into the community.” Prof. Mala said.

In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Borno governor on Security, Brig. General Abdullahi Ishaq rtd commended the efforts of CDD for the sanitation exercise of the repentance camp while calling well-meaning Nigeria to support and assist the state government. 

“You can see the environment because of the number of people we have here, the sanitation is very important, we are partnering with CDD it is a welcome development to be cleaning these camps.

“It has always been our call for the community to accept them, this crisis has been going on for more than 13 years since the coming of Sulu Alheri Nee. This camp is housing over 12,000 taking care of these people in terms of feeding and health services requires a lot of support. The government can’t do it alone, we are calling on well-meaning Nigerian should come and assist us.” Ishaq said.

It would be recalled that more than 70 Boko Haram fighters and families have surrendered to the military authority in Borno state.

We need to build trust among the community and ex-combatants – CDD