The Borno State Government reintegrated 720 repentant terrorists into society on Thursday after they completed a comprehensive deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme. Officials also brought back 992 spouses and 2,050 children who accompanied the former insurgents.
Governor Babagana Zulum led the reintegration effort. He stated that the process followed the Borno Model, which combined disarmament, rehabilitation and skill acquisition.
The repentant terrorists surrendered to troops earlier. They then underwent deradicalisation at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri. During their stay, they acquired various vocational skills that prepared them for civilian life.
Zulum explained the steps. “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 skill acquisition programmes,” he said.
Additionally, participants swore an oath with the Quran as the final step. This measure aimed to reinforce their commitment to peace and deter any return to violence.
The latest batch raised the total number of reintegrated individuals to 9,680 across nine batches. Officials noted that the programme formed part of non-kinetic approaches to counter insurgency in the northeast.
Community leaders and security agencies supported the initiative. They monitored the reintegrated persons to ensure smooth adjustment. Transition to normal life included access to support services in their communities.
The development came amid ongoing military operations that encouraged more surrenders. Borno authorities continued to expand rehabilitation facilities to handle future cases.
