A review of Borno State budget documents shows the government spent about ₦6 billion over 18 months on programmes for “repentant” Boko Haram members intended for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR). Between January and September 2024, ₦3.45 billion of a ₦3.46 billion allocation was used, and ₦7.4 billion was budgeted for 2025. A separate review of the third-quarter 2025 performance report records ₦2.6 billion spent on “livelihood support for Repentant Boko Haram Members” from January–September, including ₦758.1 million disbursed in July–September alone.
Frontline soldiers quoted by SaharaReporters say integrating repentant fighters into operations has been harmful, alleging some ex-combatants routinely leak troop positions, routines and armoury locations to insurgent leaders — information they say has preceded attacks. “Before Boko Haram attack any military camp… they already know how we operate,” one serviceman told the outlet, describing how details about deployments, weapons and even daily camp routines were passed on.
Despite the DDR spending, attacks have persisted. Borno Governor Babagana Zulum warned in April that militants were regrouping in the Sambisa area and surrounding terrain. He said the state has received more than 300,000 repentants in three years — not all fighters — and urged stronger military manpower, air support, drones, anti-drone systems and tighter border security to counter ISWAP and Boko Haram, which he said receive international support.
