MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE – The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 former insurgents into society after they successfully completed a rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme aimed at helping them abandon violence and return to civilian life.
The reintegration exercise took place in Maiduguri, where state officials said the beneficiaries had undergone months of counselling, vocational training, psychological support, and security screening before being cleared for release into their communities.
According to government officials, the former fighters were classified as low-risk individuals and had demonstrated a commitment to peace throughout the rehabilitation process. The programme forms part of the state’s non-kinetic approach to tackling insurgency in the North-East region.
During the ceremony, the participants reportedly took an oath on the Holy Quran, pledging not to return to violent activities and to live peacefully within their communities. Authorities described the oath-taking as one of the measures designed to strengthen accountability and commitment among the rehabilitated individuals.
The Borno State Government said the initiative is intended to encourage more insurgents to surrender and embrace peaceful coexistence, while also supporting long-term stability and reconstruction efforts in communities affected by years of conflict.
Officials noted that the programme includes skills acquisition and empowerment schemes aimed at helping the beneficiaries become productive members of society and reduce the likelihood of returning to criminal or extremist activities.
However, the reintegration of former insurgents continues to generate debate among Nigerians. While supporters argue that rehabilitation programmes can help weaken terrorist groups by encouraging defections, critics have expressed concerns about security risks and justice for victims of insurgency.
Despite the controversy, the state government maintains that all participants undergo extensive screening and monitoring before being reintegrated into society.
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