Borno Reintegrates 3,740 Former Terrorists, Families Into Communities

The Borno State Government has reintegrated 3,740 former Boko Haram members and their families into society after completing a deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme aimed at promoting peace and rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.

The beneficiaries comprise 720 former insurgents, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who voluntarily surrendered to security forces and underwent rehabilitation before being reunited with their communities.

Speaking at the reintegration ceremony in Maiduguri on Friday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, Abdullahi Ishaq, described the exercise as another milestone in the state’s non-military approach to tackling insurgency.

He said the beneficiaries formed Batch Nine of the programme and had been classified as low-risk individuals after undergoing screening, deradicalisation and skills training.

According to Ishaq, the initiative has continued to record positive outcomes since its launch in July 2021, when communities agreed to accept repentant insurgents willing to renounce violence 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 that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military,” he said.

He explained that many of the former insurgents were persuaded to surrender by colleagues who had earlier left insurgent camps and successfully returned to civilian life.

After surrendering, they were profiled by security agencies and transferred to the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, where they underwent deradicalisation, counselling and vocational training.

Ishaq said the programme exposed participants to various educational and skills acquisition activities, including carpentry, tailoring, metal works, bricklaying, barbing, phone repairs, solar installation, vulcanising and motorcycle repairs.

He added that women in the programme received training in tailoring, knitting, soap making, catering and other income-generating skills.

“The clients seated in front of you were disarmed, demobilised, thoroughly deradicalised and rehabilitated,” he said.

According to him, the state government has also provided starter packs to help the beneficiaries establish livelihoods and ease their transition back into society.

He disclosed that with the latest batch, a total of 9,680 former insurgents have now been reintegrated under the programme since its inception.

The beneficiaries were drawn from several local government areas, including Bama, Konduga, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Ngala, Kala-Balge and Gubio.

Ishaq noted that community leaders as well as members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters participated in the screening process before the individuals were approved for reintegration.

He urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to the development of their communities.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, described the event as a symbol of hope and reconciliation.

“This programme is another testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, unity and social cohesion in Borno State,” she said in reference to Governor Zulum’s efforts at rebuilding communities affected by years of conflict.

Gambo said the ministry has continued to provide psychosocial support, family reunification services, vocational training and other interventions designed to help affected families rebuild their lives.

She added that the ministry has worked closely with humanitarian organisations, development partners and community stakeholders to ensure the successful reintegration of women, children and other vulnerable groups impacted by insurgency.

Representatives of security agencies, religious leaders and government officials who attended the ceremony advised the beneficiaries to respect constituted authorities and serve as ambassadors of peace in their communities.