Borno Reintegrates 720 Ex-Boko Haram Fighters into Society

Muhammad Sabiru, Maiduguri

Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children that repented and surrendered to troops and were deradicalised and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.

The repentant insurgents were made to swear by the Holy Quran never to return to their old ways before they were given a second chance in their communities.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, Brig-Gen Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), disclosed this at a colorful ceremony which took place at the Hajj Camp yesterday.

Ishaq said, the event marked another milestone in the Borno Model Non-Kinetic approach to the fight against terrorism in the North East region of Nigeria, generally and Borno State in particular.

“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.

“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 that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.

“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops are to be reintegrated after many of them were deradicalised, disarmed, and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skills acquisition programmes.

“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,” Ishaq said.

He added that those affected had hitherto exited from the bush and reported to the nearest military location for initial profiling, and those with weapons surrendered to the troops.

Unfortunately, Ishaq said, some of them left their camps but could not make it to any military location before they were arrested and killed, stressing that the lucky ones who made it to the military location were later moved to Hajj Camp for proper documentation, profiling and deradicalization.

“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared towards deradicalization and preparing them for life after camp. 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, vulcanizing and repairs of motorcycles,” he said.

Their women, according to General Ishaq, were not left out in skill acquisition as they were trained in cattery services, knitting, cap marking, tailoring, soap making, to mention but few.

Ishaq noted that the State Government also provided starter packs for the repentant terrorists and their spouses to support them in their post-camp life.

He urged them all to go back home and be law-abiding, participate actively and positively in community work and development programmes.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,  Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary,  Babagana Kadai said, the day was not merely a ceremony, but it is a celebration of hope, resilience, reconciliation, and the commitment of the Borno State Government to restoring peace and rebuilding lives affected by years of insurgency.

“Under Zulum’s leadership, thousands of families displaced by conflict have been resettled, communities have been rebuilt, schools and healthcare facilities have been restored, and opportunities have been created for vulnerable populations to regain their dignity and livelihoods. This programme is another testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, and social cohesion in Borno State,” Kadai said.

He noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has remained at the forefront of these efforts.

“Since the inception of various rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, the Ministry has played a critical role in providing psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification services, child protection interventions, women empowerment initiatives, vocational training, and community sensitization programmes aimed at ensuring successful reintegration.

“Our Ministry has worked tirelessly alongside state institutions, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community stakeholders to support women, children, and vulnerable families affected by conflict. We have provided counseling services, livelihood support, educational opportunities, and social protection interventions designed to help beneficiaries rebuild their lives and become productive members of society,” he added.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chief Imam of Borno, represented by Sheikh Shettima Jafar, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security,  Prof. Usman Tar, representatives of heads of security agencies such as Police, Immigration, Customs, Correctional Service among others enjoined the clients to be good ambassadors and law abiding to the constituted authorities in the society.