The federal government has also implemented similar initiatives, including the Operation Safe Corridor programme, which focuses on deradicalising and rehabilitating former insurgents.
KANo —
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 former Boko Haram fighters into their communities after completing a comprehensive rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme, in what officials describe as a key milestone in efforts to end insurgency in Nigeria’s North-east.
The reintegration exercise, which took place on Friday in Maiduguri, also included 992 women and 2,050 children associated with the ex-we.
The former fighters underwent months of rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, a facility designated for profiling, deradicalisation, counselling, and vocational training of surrendered insurgents before their return to civilian life.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, Abdullahi Ishaq, said the beneficiaries voluntarily surrendered to military authorities at different stages of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
“Today, the Borno Model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution, with over 350,000 persons having willingly exited insurgent camps and surrendered to the military,” Ishaq said.
He explained that the ninth batch of beneficiaries comprised 720 men, alongside their families, who had been disarmed, demobilised, deradicalised, and rehabilitated before being cleared for reintegration.
“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops are being reintegrated after undergoing thorough rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp and acquiring various vocational skills,” he said.
According to Ishaq, many of the former fighters were influenced to surrender by peers who had previously left insurgent groups and successfully reintegrated into society.
“Their journey back from the bush often begins with calls from former colleagues who encourage them to embrace peace and reunite with their families,” he added.
The latest exercise brings the cumulative number of reintegrated ex-insurgents to 9,680. Ishaq disclosed that 8,960 individuals were processed in the first eight batches of the programme.
Community leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local hunters played a role in screening the individuals before recommending them for reintegration, the official said.
To support their transition, the state government provided starter packs and livelihood support to the beneficiaries and their spouses, aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of relapse into violence.
Before being returned to their communities, the former insurgents reportedly swore an oath on the Quran, pledging not to return to insurgent activities.
Ishaq outlined the pathway from surrender to reintegration, noting that individuals who leave insurgent camps typically report to the nearest military formation, where they undergo initial profiling and disarmament.
Those accepted into the programme are then transferred to the Hajj Camp for documentation, counselling, ideological reorientation, and skills acquisition.
“Unfortunately, some who attempt to leave insurgent camps are unable to reach military locations and are sometimes intercepted and killed before they can surrender,” he noted.
For years, Borno State has combined military operations with non-kinetic strategies to address the Boko Haram insurgency, which has devastated communities across the North-east, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.
The reintegration initiative is a central component of the state’s deradicalisation strategy, designed to encourage defections and promote long-term peace and stability.
However, the programme has continued to generate debate, particularly among victims of insurgent violence and affected communities who express concern over the return of former fighters to civilian populations.
Critics argue that reintegrating individuals who participated in violent activities without thorough judicial processes could pose security risks and undermine justice for victims.
A human rights lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has taken legal action to challenge the policy. He filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and President Bola Tinubu.
In the suit filed on April 23, Opara is seeking an order compelling the federal government to prosecute over 700 repentant insurgents in accordance with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
He also asked the court to determine whether the reintegration of former insurgents violates the constitutional rights of Nigerians, including the right to life, dignity, and personal liberty, by potentially exposing citizens to renewed threats.
Despite such concerns, state authorities have consistently defended the reintegration programme, arguing that it complements military efforts by providing a pathway for insurgents willing to abandon violence.
Officials say the approach reduces the number of active fighters, weakens insurgent groups, and promotes reconciliation within affected communities.
The federal government has also implemented similar initiatives, including the Operation Safe Corridor programme, which focuses on deradicalising and rehabilitating former insurgents.
On April 17 in Gombe State, authorities announced the graduation of 744 ex-insurgents and victims of violent extremism under the programme.
Participants underwent vocational training, counselling, and ideological reorientation designed to prepare them for reintegration into civilian life.
Security analysts say such programmes reflect a broader shift toward combining kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in addressing insurgency, acknowledging that military force alone may not be sufficient to achieve lasting peace.
However, they also stress the importance of transparency, community engagement, and post-reintegration monitoring to ensure that beneficiaries do not relapse into violence.
As Borno State continues to grapple with the long-term impacts of insurgency, the success or failure of its reintegration model could have significant implications for Nigeria’s overall counter-terrorism strategy.
