Even though Boko Haram insurgents have murdered countless people, raped numerous girls and women – many of them married – turned many properties worth millions of nairas into ashes and abducted thousands, the government has proposed that “reformed” members be welcomed and integrated in communities.

A source from Damaturu, Yobe State, said the government believed the former Boko Haram members had “repented”.

“Communities cannot challenge the government’s decision, but they are very unhappy,” he said.

Another source said: “The communities do not believe their repentance was genuine and for Allah’s sake. That’s why we do not feel free and we do not want them living among us.”

A source, also from Damaturu, had heard on the radio that many Islamic scholars believed members of Boko Haram would not be able to stop their fighting after being indoctrinated by the group for 20 years or more and that was what they were used to.

The scholars said: “It is not possible for someone who is addicted to killing people to quit.”

A source said he did not believe that members of Boko Haram, repentant or unrepentant, would want to live in the communities. They had cheated and taken people’s land for so long  – and they had even murdered their family members. He said Boko Haram would not be able to live in the communities.