Varsity Dons Demand Compensation For Boko Haram Victims

University dons and social scientists have appealed to the federal and state governments to prioritise justice and compensation for victims of Boko Haram insurgency alongside the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants.

They warned that rehabilitating repentant insurgents without addressing the losses, grievances and welfare of victims could fuel resentment, undermine reconciliation and threaten lasting peace in Northeast Nigeria.

The appeal was made yesterday in Maiduguri by the chairman of the Organising Committee of the Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Practitioners Association (NASA) Conference on Peacebuilding, Associate Professor Mohammed Umar Bashir.

Bashir advocated the adoption of transitional justice as a comprehensive framework for addressing the human, social and economic consequences of insurgency and insecurity in the region.

He spoke at the conference themed, “Peacebuilding Initiatives in Post-Conflict Zones in Nigeria,” which brought together academics and other stakeholders to examine the causes of insecurity and develop practical strategies for sustainable peace.

He said government interventions must go beyond rehabilitating former insurgents to include justice, accountability and adequate compensation for individuals and communities devastated by the conflict.

According to him, the Northeast has endured years of insurgency despite several interventions by successive governments to restore peace and stability.

He said the persistent security challenges informed the decision of social scientists to examine the underlying causes of the crisis and explore alternative approaches to resolving it.

Bashir disclosed that the decision to host the conference in the Northeast was reached during the association’s Annual General Meeting in Wudil, Kano State.

He described the conference as historic, noting that it was the first time the association, established in 1971, was holding its gathering in the region.

On the rehabilitation of former insurgents, he acknowledged the importance of providing financial assistance, accommodation, vocational training and other support to facilitate their reintegration into society.

However, he cautioned that such interventions must not come at the expense of victims who have suffered enormous losses during the insurgency.

“Many victims have lost family members, properties and their means of livelihood. They deserve adequate attention, compensation and justice,” he said.

He warned that allowing former insurgents to return to their communities without addressing victims’ concerns could deepen bitterness and frustrate reconciliation efforts.

The university don also called for accountability, insisting that individuals found guilty of serious crimes must face prosecution and punishment in accordance with the law.

He maintained that compensation, justice and accountability should form integral parts of post-conflict recovery efforts to rebuild public trust, restore social cohesion and promote peaceful coexistence.

Bashir stressed that sustainable peace would remain elusive unless the rights and interests of victims were given equal consideration alongside the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants.

Earlier, the National President of NASA, Professor Hawa’u Evelyn Yusuf, called for stronger and more sustainable peacebuilding initiatives in Nigeria’s post-conflict communities.

Yusuf emphasised the need to strengthen early warning and response mechanisms to identify emerging threats and prevent the recurrence of violent conflicts, particularly in communities recovering from years of insecurity.

She explained that the annual conference, hosted by different institutions, provides a platform for academics, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine conflict situations and develop practical solutions for lasting peace.

According to her, the conference theme goes beyond preventing or containing violence to promoting sustainable strategies that strengthen peaceful coexistence and rebuild conflict-affected communities.

She stressed the need to tackle the root causes of conflicts while building the capacity of communities and institutions to prevent future violence.

Yusuf urged governments, academics, and other stakeholders to translate research findings and recommendations from the conference into concrete policies and interventions that can strengthen peace and stability across Nigeria’s conflict-affected communities.