BORNO REINTEGRATES 720 REPENTANT TERRORISTS FOLLOWING REHABILITATION
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents into society after they completed a deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme.
The beneficiaries, classified as low-risk and minor clients, belong to Batch 9 of the state’s rehabilitation initiative. Before returning to their communities across Borno State, they were sworn in on the Holy Quran.
The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), announced the development on Friday during a ceremony at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri marking the completion of the programme.
Abdullahi described the initiative as a significant achievement in the state’s non-kinetic counter-insurgency strategy in the North-East, noting that it has gained recognition as a leading peacebuilding model.
According to him, the programme, launched on July 5, 2021, under Governor Babagana Zulum, has attracted substantial participation from former insurgents who voluntarily surrendered.
He said, “It has been a success story since 5th July 2021 when the good people of Borno State, under the stewardship of our dynamic leader, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, agreed to forgive and accept their sons who are willing to drop arms and embrace peace.
“Today, the Borno model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons who willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.”
Abdullahi stated that the addition of the latest 720 beneficiaries brings the total number of people reintegrated through the programme to 9,680 across Batches 1 to 9.
He added that the exercise also covered 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to the former insurgents.
Explaining the process, he said reintegration begins when insurgents voluntarily surrender at military locations, where they undergo profiling and disarmament procedures.
Participants are subsequently enrolled in structured rehabilitation activities, including Islamic education, counselling sessions, hygiene awareness programmes, drug abuse prevention training, and vocational skills development.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared towards deradicalisation and preparing them for life after camp.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programmes, lectures on hygiene, drug abuse and other fields, while Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were for skill acquisition programmes such as metal works, carpentry, tailoring, pot making, brick laying, barbing, cap making, repair of phones, solar installation, vulcanising and repairs of motorcycles,” he said.
Abdullahi further disclosed that the state government provided starter packs to help beneficiaries transition successfully into civilian life.
He noted that community leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, and hunters participated in screening the individuals before recommending them for reintegration.
“They are from Bama LGA, Kondugua LGA, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu Ngala, Kalabarge and Gubio,” he added.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to live as responsible citizens and contribute to peace, stability, and development within their communities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, described the programme as a reflection of hope, reconciliation, and resilience.
She also praised Governor Zulum’s leadership in advancing peacebuilding efforts, highlighting the administration’s continued commitment to resettling displaced persons and rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.
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