Borno State Completes Reintegration of 720 Repentant Insurgents After Rehabilitation Programme
Borno State Completes Reintegration of 720 Repentant Insurgents After Rehabilitation Programme
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents who have successfully completed their deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme back into society.
The beneficiaries, described as low-risk and minor clients, form Batch 9 under the state’s ongoing initiative. They were sworn in using the Holy Quran before being released to their respective communities across Borno State.
The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), announced this on Friday during a ceremony held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri marking the completion of their rehabilitation.
He said the exercise reflects the state’s continued non-kinetic approach to counter-insurgency in the North-East, describing it as one of the most effective peacebuilding models globally.
Abdullahi noted that the programme, which commenced on July 5, 2021, under Governor Babagana Zulum, has seen increasing participation from former fighters 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.”
He further disclosed that with the latest 720 beneficiaries, the total number of reintegrated individuals has now reached 9,680 across batches 1 to 9.
According to him, the programme also includes 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to former insurgents.
He explained that the process begins when repentant fighters voluntarily leave the bush and report to military authorities, where they undergo profiling and disarmament.
Participants then pass through structured rehabilitation involving Islamic studies, counselling, hygiene education, drug awareness campaigns, and vocational training.
“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 added that the state government provided starter packs to help beneficiaries reintegrate successfully into civilian life.
He noted that community leaders, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, screened 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 urged the beneficiaries to return to their communities as responsible citizens and contribute to peacebuilding and development efforts.
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 also commended Governor Zulum for his leadership in peacebuilding, noting that his administration has continued to resettle displaced families and rebuild communities affected by insurgency.
