By Ndahi Marama
Borno State Government has reintegrated a total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops after many of them were deradicalised, disarmed, and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skill acquisition programmes.
These latest categories of repentant insurgents, who all swore on the Holy Quran, formed part of Batch 9 low-risk and minor clients who are to be reunited with their various communities across Borno State.
This was disclosed by the special adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on security, who is also a member of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of repentant insurgents, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd), at a colourful ceremony which took place at the Hajj Camp on Friday.
He said the event marks another milestone in the Borno Model non-kinetic approach to the fight against terrorism in the northeast region of Nigeria generally and Borno State in particular.
“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 programmes in the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.
“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops are to be reintegrated after many of them were deradicalised, disarmed, and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skills acquisition programmes.
“Their way back from the bush began with a call from their colleagues encouraging them to surrender, embrace peace and reunite with their parents,” General Ishaq stated.
He added that the clients have hitherto exited from the bush and reported to the nearest military location for initial profiling, and those with weapons surrendered to the troops.
Unfortunately, Ishaq said, some left their camps but could not make it to any military location before they were arrested and killed, stressing that the lucky ones that made it to the military location were later moved to Hajj Camp for proper documentation, profiling and deradicalisation.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared towards deradicalisation and preparing them for life after camp.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programmes and lectures on hygiene, drug abuse and other fields, while Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays were for skill acquisition programmes such as metalworks, carpentry, tailoring, pot making, bricklaying, barbing, cap making, repair of phones, solar installation, vulcanising and repairs of motorcycles,” he said.
Their women, according to General Ishaq, were not left out in skill acquisition, as they were trained in cattery services, knitting, cap marking, tailoring, and soap making, to mention but a few.
Ishaq noted that the state government has provided starter packs for the clients and their spouses to support them in their post-camp life. Continuing, he said, “The Borno Model has reintegrated 8,960 in Batches 1-8, and with today’s 720 clients (Batch 9), it would be 9,680 clients.
“The clients seated in front of you were disarmed, demobilised, thoroughly deradicalised and rehabilitated. They are from Bama LGA, Kondugua LGA, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu, Ngala, Kalabarge and Gubio.
“Community leaders, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters screened them properly before recommending them for reintegration,” Ishaq explained. He urged them all to go back home and be law-abiding and participate actively and positively in community work and development programmes.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai, said the day is not merely a ceremony, but it is a celebration of hope, resilience, reconciliation, and the commitment of the Borno State Government to restoring peace and rebuilding lives affected by years of insurgency.
“I would like to express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, executive governor of Borno State, whose visionary leadership, compassion, and dedication to peacebuilding have continued to attract national and international recognition.
“Under Zulum’s leadership, thousands of families displaced by conflict have been resettled, communities have been rebuilt, schools and healthcare facilities have been restored, and opportunities have been created for vulnerable populations to regain their dignity and livelihoods. This programme is another testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, and social cohesion in Borno State,” Kadai said.
He noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has remained at the forefront of these efforts.
“Since the inception of various rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, the ministry has played a critical role in providing psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification services, child protection interventions, women empowerment initiatives, vocational training, and community sensitisation programmes aimed at ensuring successful reintegration.
“Our ministry has worked tirelessly alongside state institutions, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community stakeholders to support women, children, and vulnerable families affected by conflict. We have provided counselling services, livelihood support, educational opportunities, and social protection interventions designed to help beneficiaries rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chief Imam of Borno, represented by Sheikh Shettima Jafar; Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; and representatives of heads of security agencies such as Police, Immigration, Customs, and Correctional Service, among others, enjoined the clients to be good ambassadors and law-abiding to the constituted authorities in society.
In their vote of thanks, former reintegrated members of surrendered terrorists, Idris Abdulkadir, Ali Kaka and Ibrahim Mohammed, expressed gratitude to all and sundry for accepting their reintegration into society, in which, they said, they have been living peacefully with members of their communities and also contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of the state.
