The Borno State Government has successfully reintegrated 720 former insurgents into society after they completed a deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme designed to help them transition back to civilian life.
The beneficiaries, classified as low-risk participants, were released after taking an oath on the Holy Quran and are expected to return to their various communities across the state.
Speaking at a ceremony in Maiduguri, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), described the exercise as another significant step in the state’s non-military approach to addressing insurgency in the North-East.
According to him, the programme, launched in July 2021, has continued to encourage former fighters to voluntarily surrender and embrace peaceful coexistence.
Abdullahi stated that the latest batch brings the total number of rehabilitated and reintegrated former insurgents under the initiative to 9,680. He added that the programme has also catered for hundreds of spouses and children connected to the ex-fighters.
He explained that participants first undergo profiling and disarmament after surrendering to security forces before being enrolled in a comprehensive rehabilitation process.
The programme includes religious instruction, counselling, health and hygiene education, drug abuse awareness and various vocational training courses aimed at preparing beneficiaries for independent living.
Participants were trained in several trades, including carpentry, tailoring, metal fabrication, bricklaying, barbing, cap making, phone repairs, solar installation, vulcanising and motorcycle maintenance.
To support their transition back into society, the state government also provided starter packs and other resources to help them establish livelihoods after leaving the rehabilitation camps.
Abdullahi noted that community leaders, local vigilante groups and hunters were involved in screening the former insurgents before their eventual reintegration into their respective communities.
He urged the beneficiaries to embrace peace, obey the law and contribute positively to the development and stability of their communities.
Also speaking at the event, officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development described the programme as a reflection of reconciliation, recovery and hope for communities affected by years of insurgency.
The state government maintained that the initiative remains a key component of ongoing efforts to promote peace, rebuild affected communities and support the resettlement of displaced persons across Borno State.
