The Borno State Government has released another 720 rehabilitated former insurgents back into their communities after they successfully completed a deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme under the state’s ongoing peacebuilding initiative.
The beneficiaries, classified as low-risk participants and minor clients under Batch 9 of the programme, were formally sworn in on the Holy Quran before being reunited with their respective communities across the state.
The development was announced on Friday in Maiduguri by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, retired Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi, during a ceremony held at the Hajj Camp to mark the completion of the latest rehabilitation cycle.
Abdullahi described the initiative as a key component of the state’s non-military strategy for tackling insurgency in the North-East, noting that the programme has gained recognition for its role in promoting peace and reconciliation.
According to him, the programme was launched on July 5, 2021, following a decision by the Borno State Government to accept and rehabilitate insurgents willing to abandon violence and embrace peace.
“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 the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons who willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.”
He revealed that the latest batch brings the total number of former insurgents reintegrated through the programme to 9,680 across nine batches.
Beyond the ex-combatants, the programme has also catered for family members affected by the conflict, including 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to the former insurgents.
Abdullahi explained that the rehabilitation process begins when insurgents voluntarily surrender to security forces and undergo profiling, screening and disarmament procedures before being admitted into the programme.
Participants are then exposed to a structured rehabilitation curriculum designed to prepare them for civilian life. The programme includes religious instruction, counselling, health and hygiene education, drug abuse awareness campaigns and vocational training.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared towards deradicalisation and preparing them for life after camp,” he said.
“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.”
To ease their transition back into society, the state government also provided starter packs and support materials to the beneficiaries upon graduation.
Abdullahi further disclosed that traditional leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters participated in the screening and verification process before the former insurgents were cleared for reintegration.
The beneficiaries were drawn from several local government areas, including Bama, Kaga, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Ngala, Kala-Balge and Gubio.
He urged them to remain committed to peaceful living, obey the law and contribute meaningfully to the development and stability of their communities.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai, described the programme as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and recovery.
She praised Governor Zulum’s administration for sustaining efforts aimed at restoring peace, rebuilding communities and resettling families displaced by years of insurgency across the state.