CITAD Unveils Book On Boko Haram, Suggests Ways For Peace

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has unveiled a book on Boko Haram tiled 'Community Perceptions Of Dialogue and Reconciliation in Northern Nigeria'.

Unveiling the book on Thursday in Gombe state, the Executive Director of the CITAD, Y. Z. Yau, said the book was published to suggest ways for peace aside from using military power.

"Historically, no insurgency in this world has ever been completely eradicated through military action.

"Military action is a necessary position but not a stationed condition to reestablish peace in the communities."

Speaking on deradicalization and integration of the insurgents into the society, he said the move poses much challenges.

He explained that people who have identified the insurgents that attacked them and their loved ones, would find it difficult to forgive and accept them into the society.

He called for the need for discussions and debates in the communities to provide solutions to the insecurity, especially in the North East.

While further discussing on the findings of the book, Yau said women were the major victims of the insurgency.

"Women are the major victims of the insurgency. 

"They were abducted, they were raped, some were turned into slaves and some were forced to carry suicide bombs.

"They have lost their parents, husband's and children.

"So with this, the voice is women, because they are the ones most emotionally affected," he added.

He further commended the Nigerian military for doing a good job in the fight against the Boko Haram.

He added that the significant improvement recorded in the security of the subregion by the military was because it capitalized on the division among the insurgents.

He disclosed that there were currently eight splinter groups from the Boko Haram, who were fighting each other for power. 

"In this book, we have urged Nigerians, particularly people in the North-Eastern part of the country to collectively think about what framework can be developed to further negotiate for a lasting peace in the region," Yau added.