Zulum Administration Reintegrates 720 Ex-Insurgents In Ongoing Deradicalisation Programme

The Borno State Government on Friday reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents alongside 992 spouses and 2,050 children who surrendered to troops and successfully completed deradicalisation, disarmament and rehabilitation under the state’s non-kinetic counterinsurgency programme.

The exercise, held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, involved members of Batch 9 classified as low-risk and minor clients, who were formally cleared for return to their communities after undergoing structured rehabilitation processes.

At the ceremony, the group swore on the Holy Quran before officials, marking their formal transition from rehabilitation centres back into society. They are expected to be resettled across various communities within the state.

Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum and member of the state Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Committee, described the development as another milestone in the Borno Model of non-kinetic counterinsurgency.

He said the programme, which began on July 5, 2021, has continued to record steady progress in encouraging voluntary surrender and reintegration of former fighters.

“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who repented and surrendered to troops are being reintegrated after undergoing deradicalisation, disarmament and rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp and participating in skills-acquisition programmes,” Ishaq said.

He disclosed that the state has recorded over 350,000 persons who have exited insurgent-held areas and surrendered to security forces since the commencement of the programme.

According to him, those who surrendered were initially received at military formations for profiling before being transferred to the Hajj Camp, where they underwent documentation, rehabilitation and ideological reorientation.

He explained that participants were engaged in structured daily programmes, including Islamic studies, hygiene education and lectures on drug abuse, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while vocational training sessions were conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He said male beneficiaries were trained in skills such as metalwork, carpentry, tailoring, bricklaying, phone repair, solar installation, vulcanising, motorcycle repair and other trades, while female participants were trained in poultry production, tailoring, knitting, soap-making and cap production.

“The state government also provided starter packs to support participants’ transition back into society,” he added.

Ishaq noted that beneficiaries were drawn from several local government areas, including Bama, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Gubio, Ngala and Kala-Balge.

He said community leaders, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters, played a key role in screening and recommending candidates for reintegration.

“With today’s 720 clients in Batch 9, the Borno Model has reintegrated 9,680 individuals across nine batches,” he said, urging beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to community development.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, described the programme as a symbol of “hope, resilience, reconciliation and commitment to rebuilding lives.”

She commended Governor Zulum’s administration for its efforts in resettling displaced families, rebuilding infrastructure and restoring essential services across communities affected by insurgency.

Kadai also highlighted the ministry’s role in psychosocial support, family tracing, child protection, women empowerment and vocational training to support successful reintegration.

Representatives of religious leaders and security agencies at the event urged the reintegrated persons to uphold peace, obey the law and serve as responsible ambassadors in their communities.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Idris Abdulkadir, Ali Kaka and Ibrahim Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the government and communities for accepting them back, noting that they were now living peacefully and contributing to socio-economic development.