The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents who have completed a deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme back into society.
The beneficiaries, described as low-risk participants in Batch 9 of the state’s initiative, were sworn in using the Holy Quran before being released to return to their respective communities across Borno State.
The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), disclosed this on Friday at an event held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri to mark the completion of their rehabilitation.
He said the exercise represents another milestone in the state’s non-kinetic approach to counter-insurgency in the North-East, describing it as one of the most prominent peacebuilding models globally.
According to him, the programme, which began on July 5, 2021, under Governor Zulum, has recorded significant participation from former insurgents who voluntarily surrendered.
“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,” he said.
“Today, the Borno model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in modern history, with over 350,000 persons who have willingly exited the bush and surrendered.”
Abdullahi said the latest release brings the total number of reintegrated persons under the programme to 9,680 across nine batches. He added that the process has also involved 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to former fighters.
He explained that participants initially surrender to military authorities, where they undergo profiling and disarmament before being enrolled in structured rehabilitation programmes.
The training includes Islamic studies, counselling, hygiene education, drug abuse awareness, and vocational skills acquisition.
“Participants are kept engaged with structured programmes aimed at deradicalisation and preparing them for life after the camp,” he said.
“Islamic teachings were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were dedicated to skills acquisition such as metalwork, carpentry, tailoring, bricklaying, barbing, solar installation, vulcanising, and motorcycle repairs.”
He added that beneficiaries were provided with starter packs to support their reintegration into civilian life.
Community leaders, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters, also screened participants before recommending them for reintegration, he said.
Abdullahi listed some of the beneficiaries’ local government areas as Bama, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Ngala, Kalabalge and Gubio.
He urged the beneficiaries to return to their communities as law-abiding citizens and contribute positively to peace 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 commended Governor Zulum for his leadership in peacebuilding, noting that the administration has continued to resettle displaced families and rebuild communities affected by insurgency.
