Borno Reintegrates 720 ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram Members

The Borno State government has reintegrated 720 repentant Boko Haram members into their communities after completing a rehabilitation programme.

The beneficiaries, who make up batch 9 of the programme, were described as low-risk and minor clients.

They swore by the Holy Quran before they were released to return to communities across the state.

The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), announced this on Friday during the completion of the rehabilitation ceremony held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.

He said the exercise was another milestone in Borno’s non-violent approach to tackling insurgency in the North-East, describing it as one of the most effective peace-building models in the world.

Abdullahi said the programme, which began on July 5, 2021, under Governor Zulum, had recorded thousands of former fighters who voluntarily dropped their arms and surrendered.

“It has been a success story since 5th July 2021, when the good people of Borno State, under the leadership of our dynamic leader, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, agreed to forgive and accept their sons who were willing to drop their weapons and embrace peace,” he said.

“Today, the Borno model is regarded as one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons who voluntarily left the bush and surrendered to the military.” He added.

He said with the latest 720 beneficiaries, the total number of people reintegrated under the programme had risen to 9,680 across Batches 1 to 9.

The exercise also covered 992 spouses and 2,050 children of the former insurgents, he added.

Abdullahi explained that the reintegration process begins when repentant insurgents voluntarily leave the bush and report to military locations, where profiling and disarmament are carried out.

He said participants undergo rehabilitation programmes covering Islamic teachings, counselling, hygiene education, drug abuse awareness and vocational training.

“The camp administrators kept them busy with programmes geared towards deradicalisation and preparing them for life after camp. Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programmes and lectures on hygiene, drug abuse and other topics, while Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were for skill acquisition such as metal works, carpentry, tailoring, pot making, brick laying, barbing, cap making, phone repair, solar installation, vulcanising and motorcycle repairs,” Abdullah said.

He added that the state government provided support for beneficiaries as they returned to civilian life.

According to him, community leaders, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters, screened the individuals before recommending them for reintegration.

“They are from Bama, Konduga, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gambolu Ngala, Kalabalge and Gubio Local Government Areas,” he added.

Abdullahi urged the beneficiaries to return to their communities, remain law-abiding citizens and contribute positively to peace and development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, described the programme as a symbol of hope, reconciliation and resilience.

She commended Governor Zulum for his leadership in peacebuilding and said the administration had continued to resettle displaced families and rebuild communities affected by insurgency.