Repentant Female Insurgent Speaks Out: I Wish I Hadn’t Shredded My NCE Certificate

Repentant Female Insurgent Speaks Out: I Wish I Hadn’t Shredded My NCE Certificate

A repentant female Boko Haram member, Fatima Musa, who has undergone deradicalisation and resettled in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno, has expressed regret over destroying her National Certificate in Education (NCE). Musa shared her remorse during a community dialogue on understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence organized by the Allamin Foundation with support from the UK Government……CONTINUE READING 

Musa, along with other deradicalised women, revealed that they had been misled into insurgency through distorted religious interpretations. She acknowledged that she now understands the true teachings of Islam, which promote peace and tolerance. Musa expressed regret over shredding her NCE certificate, which she had discarded under the misguided belief that Western education was forbidden.

During the dialogue, another deradicalised woman, Bintu, appealed for forgiveness from the people of Mafa and urged support for the foundation to reach more individuals still in insurgency. She highlighted that some repentant individuals returned to the bush due to stigma and harassment, which undermined their efforts to reintegrate into society. Bintu called for encouragement and support to help these individuals rebuild their lives.

Residents of Mafa also called for increased government support for deradicalisation and resettlement efforts, including empowerment programs for victims and repentants. Babagana Butu, leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Mafa, noted that repentant insurgents are now part of community patrols and have been given farmlands as part of their reintegration.

The Executive Director of the Allamin Foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, stated that the dialogue aimed to address challenges in the reintegration process. A lecture on Islamic principles of peace and reconciliation was delivered by Consultant and Peace Mediator Sheikh Ali Mustapha.