NGO trains 59 Borno traditional rulers on inclusion of survivors, de-radicalized women

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By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri

A non-governmental organisation, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has trained 59 traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders on the right and social needs of vulnerable groups who were confiscated by armed groups into the war.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin at a one-day workshop for district heads of Borno Emirate Council in Maiduguri, said it aimed to eradicate the stigma and bais associate with these survivors and to guarantee their access to justice and remedies.

She disclosed that the victims endured significant trauma and human rights violations as a result of armed conflict in north-east.

“The survivors, victims and de-radicalized women makes specific demand to governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and larger communities. The traditional rulers are the fillers of society.

“We had 59 district heads, some religious and other critical stakeholders for this workshop and we have gotten very important feedbacks from them as well as way forward,” she said.

She said the charter aims to cater to their immediate and longer-term requirements, including healthcare, psychosocial aid, legal support and their social and economic reintegration.

Speaking, the District Head of Maisandari Ward, Alhaji Abba Bukar said survivors confiscated into Boko Haram should not be stigmatized by traditional rulers and religious leaders in communities.

“So we are calling on government and relevant authorities to consider the plight of survivors. Those who are forceful into the Boko Haram now they have returned back to communities. We are pleading to the governments to support them.

“They want us to plead on their behalf thst they should not be left behind by government. So as traditional rulers we are always advocate for peace and peaceful coexistence,” Abba said.

He urged the government to to be explicit on role traditional rulers, noting that their hands are very much tied due to lack specific roles and responsibilities allotted to traditional rulers in the constitution.