Borno reintegrates 720 repentant insurgents after rehabilitation
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents into society following the successful completion of a deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme aimed at fostering peace and stability in the state.
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The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, retired Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi, disclosed this on Friday during the graduation ceremony of Batch 9 beneficiaries at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said the programme, which began in July 2021, is part of the state government’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insurgency and supporting long-term peacebuilding efforts in communities affected by conflict.
According to him, the latest batch comprises 720 low-risk former insurgents who voluntarily surrendered and underwent months of rehabilitation before being cleared for reintegration into their respective communities.
He noted that the beneficiaries took an oath on the Holy Quran and were subjected to rigorous screening and verification processes involving security agencies, community leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters before their release.
Abdullahi revealed that a total of 9,680 former insurgents have now been rehabilitated and reintegrated through the programme since its inception. He added that the initiative has also supported 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to former fighters.
He further disclosed that more than 350,000 individuals have reportedly surrendered from insurgent camps over the past few years, describing the development as evidence of the programme’s growing impact.
The rehabilitation process includes religious reorientation, psychological counselling, drug abuse prevention, hygiene education and vocational training in various skills such as tailoring, carpentry, metal fabrication, solar installation, phone repairs, motorcycle maintenance and vulcanising.
Read also: 560 repentant Boko Haram militants begin training in Borno
To facilitate their return to civilian life, the state government provides graduates with starter packs and support materials to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai, described the programme as a significant step towards reconciliation, recovery and community rebuilding in the North-East.
He commended the administration of Governor Zulum for its continued commitment to restoring peace, resettling displaced persons and rebuilding communities devastated by years of insurgency.
The reintegration of the 720 former insurgents marks another milestone in Borno State’s efforts to combine security operations with rehabilitation and community-based peace initiatives aimed at ending the insurgency and promoting lasting stability across the region.
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