Peace and Conflict Resolution: Countering the Ideology of Boko Haram and Reintegrating

Reformed Members in the Society

Introduction

Boko Haram was formed in 2002 but become actively radical in 2009 () and so far over 20, 000
people are estimated to have been killed, 2.6 million displaced from Adamawa State, Borno State
and Yobe State, where the activities of the insurgents were more concentrated (). It is reported
that the group has kidnapped --- people from their villages especially women and children but
through military actions there are recorded deaths of book haram members which some reports
record as high as ----.

With this high number of lives lost and about Billion lost in properties () within seven (7) years,
it has become imperative to evaluate other options other than combat in order to totally eliminate
the menace of Boko Haram. Peace and Conflict Resolution is an option that has enjoyed less
attention than it deserved especially after Boko Haram began using the suicide bombing tactics
to hit soft targets across the country. This report explores the use of peace and conflict resolution
to counter the main ideology that created the sect.

Another aspect that has gained little attention is the repentant Boko Haram Members who have
had a change of heart and how they are being reintegrated in the society with minimal possibility
of relapse of the ideology, and also considering the societys will to accept them as functioning
members of the community.
A camp has been established in Nigeria to rehabilitate and reintegrate Islamist Boko Haram
militants who have surrendered and are sorry for their actions, the military said Tuesday.

The camp "is geared towards rehabilitating and reintegrating the repentant and the surrendering
Boko Haram members back into normal life," it said in a statement.

The military did not give any details of the camp is or how it run, but said the repentant militants
would be given vocational training so they can help contribute to the economy.

An estimated 20,000 people have been killed since Boko Haram began its campaign of violence
in 2009 to carve out a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

More than 2.6 million people have fled their homes since, but some of the internally displaced
have begun returning.

Nigerian military authorities also appealed to those still carrying arms to repent, after recently
announcing the capture of dozens of jihadist militants.

The statement said that troops will continue their offensive against insurgents in the northeast,
and warned reluctant Boko Haram members of "imminent calamity".