The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant rebels who have finished the deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration program back into society.
The most recent batch, defined as low-risk and minor customers, is part of Batch 9 under the state’s rehabilitation project. They were sworn in with the Holy Quran before being released to their respective communities around the state.
Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, made the announcement on Friday at a ceremony marking the end of their rehabilitation process at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.
He described the exercise as another milestone in the state’s non-kinetic strategy to counter-insurgency in the North-East, as well as one of the world’s most effective peacebuilding models.
Abdullahi said the project, which began on July 5, 2021, under Governor Babagana Zulum, has received widespread support from former terrorists who have voluntarily surrendered.
He said, “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 programs in the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons who willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.”
He noted that with the new 720 terrorists, the total number of reintegrated individuals under the program has climbed to 9,680 over batches 1-9.
He did, however, say that the reintegration exercise included 992 spouses and 2,050 children of former insurgents.
He said that the reintegration process began when repentant rebels voluntarily left the bush and reported to military bases for initial profiling and disarmament.
He stated that individuals were enrolled in systematic recovery programs that included Islamic instruction, counseling, hygiene education, drug misuse awareness, and other vocational training sessions.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programs geared towards deradicalization and preparing them for life after the camp.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programs, lectures on hygiene, drug abuse, and other fields, while Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays were for skill acquisition programs 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.
According to Abdullahi, the state government also supplied starter packets to help the beneficiaries reintegrate into civilian life.
He stated that community leaders, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and hunters evaluated the individuals before recommending them for reintegration.
“They are from Bama LGA, Kondugua LGA, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu, Ngala, Kalabarge, and Gubio,” he added.
He advised the beneficiaries to return to their villages as law-abiding people who may contribute constructively to peace and development endeavors.
Earlier, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, was represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, who hailed the program as a sign of hope, reconciliation, and strength.
She praised Governor Zulum for his innovative leadership in peacebuilding, adding that the administration has continued to resettle displaced families and rehabilitate areas impacted by the insurgency.
