The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 former Boko Haram members into their communities after they completed a rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme.
The exercise also included 992 women and 2,050 children who were part of the rehabilitation process.
Speaking during the reintegration ceremony, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, said the beneficiaries voluntarily surrendered to security forces and embraced the government’s peace initiative.
According to him, the former insurgents underwent documentation, profiling, deradicalisation, disarmament, rehabilitation, and vocational training before being cleared for reintegration.
Ishaq explained that each participant swore on the Holy Quran that they would never return to insurgency or engage in activities that threaten peace and security.
He stated that many of those who surrendered were encouraged by former fighters who had already embraced peace and reunited with their families.
“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who repented and surrendered to troops have now completed the rehabilitation process. They were trained in various vocational skills and prepared for a new life in their communities,” he said.
The security adviser added that the state government has provided starter packs and other support materials to help the beneficiaries establish livelihoods and successfully reintegrate into society.
He further disclosed that more than 350,000 individuals have voluntarily left insurgent camps and surrendered over the years as part of ongoing efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.
The reintegration programme forms part of Borno State’s broader strategy aimed at promoting peace, reducing radicalisation, and encouraging former fighters to abandon violence permanently.
The development comes at a time when concerns over insecurity remain high across several parts of northern Nigeria, with security agencies continuing operations against terrorist groups and bandits.
Recently, the Federal Government also announced the commencement of another phase of terrorism trials involving more than 600 terrorism suspects facing charges in various courts in Abuja.
Authorities say both military operations and rehabilitation programmes remain key components of efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in affected communities.
