Borno Clamps Down On Islamic Clerics Over Repentant Boko Haram Fighters

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Borno State Government has banned public preaching in any part of the state in a deft move to stop Islamic clerics from inciting residents against its ongoing plan to resettle repentant Boko Haram fighters.

The development watchers of the state, said is likely to generate angry reactions from the predominantly Muslim state, but Governor Babagana Zulum, said he has directed security agencies to arrest violators.

According to the governor, the directive was necessary to forestall any reaction as a result of the way the government handled the issue of repentant Boko Haram members.

Hundreds of insurgents have abandoned their weapons and surrendered to troops in the last few weeks, as government battles with residents who are opposed to their reintegration back into the society.

Shehu of Borno and other prominent indigenes of the state, such as Senator Ali Ndume have criticized the government’s acceptance of returning Boko Haram members.

The government, obviously did not want the issue to degenerate after some Islamic clerics openly preached against the soft manner the repentant insurgents are being treated.

Zulum spoke during a stakeholders interactive meeting on the security situation of the state arising from the sudden surrender of hundreds of Boko Haram insurgents at the Government House on Sunday in Maiduguri.

He said the government cannot fold it’s arms because “If care is not taken, this will become a serious issue because I heard different preachers have started abusing each other.

“I heard they are abusing each other in their preaching. I have ordered the DSS to arrest all of them in the state. The Preaching Service Board has been given all the powers to regulate their activities.

“We shall never allow anybody to come into the state and begin to say things anyhow, be it Christian or Muslim. This is very important.

“The CAN should write to us, the Jama’atu Nasri Islam should also write to the Borno State Government and the Preaching Service Board with a view to creating access for them to preach. This is very important,” Zulum noted.

The governor said the government will press ahead in its plan to resettle the repentant Boko Haram fighters.

Zulum had at a recent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja warned that the returning Boko Haram members may be forced to go back into the bush if they are rejected.