720 Repentant Boko Haram Fighters Reintegrated Into Communities After Deradicalisation Programme

THE Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant Boko Haram members, alongside 992 women and 2,050 children, back into their communities following the completion of a rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme.

The former insurgents, who surrendered to troops at various times, were disarmed and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri before being given a second chance.

At a ceremony marking the reintegration, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd), said the graduates had willingly surrendered to the military.

In a solemn ritual, the repentant fighters were made to swear on the Holy Quran that they would not return to their old ways.

General Ishaq said the so-called “Borno Model” was now regarded as one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in modern history.

“Today Borno Model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programme in the history of mankind with over 350,000 persons that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military,” he said.

He confirmed that 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who had repented were being reintegrated after undergoing deradicalisation, disarmament and skills acquisition training at the Hajj Camp.

“Their way back from the bush began with a call from their colleagues encouraging them to surrender, embrace peace and re-unite with their parents,” General Ishaq added.

He explained that the returnees had initially left their camps and reported to the nearest military location for profiling, with those carrying weapons handing them over to troops.

“Unfortunately, some left their camps but could not make it to any military location before they were arrested and killed,” he said.

Those who successfully reached military installations were transferred to the Hajj Camp for proper documentation, profiling and deradicalisation.

The state government has provided starter packs for the returnees and their spouses to support them in rebuilding their lives.

General Ishaq noted that the Borno Model had now reintegrated 8,960 people across batches one to eight. With the latest cohort of 720 clients – batch nine – the total now stands at 9,680.

The latest returnees come from Bama, Kondugua, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu Ngala, Kalabarge and Gubio local government areas.

“Community leaders, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters screened them properly before recommending them for reintegration,” the general added.

He praised the group for their cooperation during the deradicalisation process and urged them to abide by the law and participate positively in community activities as they resumed their civilian lives.