The Borno State Government has warned that rehabilitated former insurgents risk death if they return to terrorist groups, saying they would no longer be accepted within those ranks.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, gave the warning during an interview on News Central on Monday while addressing concerns over the reintegration of ex-fighters.
She said, “People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival.”
According to her, once a fighter surrenders and passes through the government’s rehabilitation process, they are regarded as outsiders by insurgent groups.
“It is not even about whether they have been certified or we trust them or not. The law of the jungle takes care of that. The moment you step out and surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel,” she said.
Gambo explained that the state’s deradicalisation programme includes an oath-taking process using the Quran, which she said carries serious consequences and discourages beneficiaries from returning to violence.
“Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” she added.
She admitted that funding remains a major challenge affecting the programme: “You bring many people in, but how do you feed them, clothe them, and provide education? Funding is a big issue.”
Return to terror groups carries death risk – Borno warns rehabilitated ex-insurgents
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