The Borno State Government has defended its rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former terrorists, insisting that strict measures are in place to discourage beneficiaries from returning to violent activities.
The government said repentant terrorists are required to swear an oath with the Quran before being reintegrated into society after completing the deradicalisation programme.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, explained the process during an interview aired on News Central Television.
According to her, the oath-taking process is a key part of the Borno rehabilitation model for former insurgents.
“When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is, they take an oath with the Quran,” she said.
She added that breaking such an oath carries serious consequences within the belief system of those involved.
Government Dismisses Fear of Return to Terrorism
The commissioner acknowledged public concerns that some rehabilitated individuals could return to terrorist groups.
However, she argued that those who surrender to authorities and later attempt to rejoin insurgents would face rejection from extremist groups themselves.
“People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival,” she stated.
According to Gambo, insurgent groups often consider surrendered fighters as traitors once they leave terrorist camps and accept government rehabilitation.
Funding Challenges Affecting Programme
Despite defending the programme, the Borno State Government admitted that funding remains a major challenge.
The commissioner said authorities struggle with providing food, clothing, education, and other support services for rehabilitated individuals.
“The challenge, of course, has to do with funding,” she said.
She explained that the programme requires significant financial support to manage large numbers of former fighters undergoing rehabilitation.
Concerns Over Operation Safe Corridor
The debate over the reintegration programme intensified after the graduation of 744 former terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.
Many Nigerians expressed concerns about transparency, accountability, and the safety of communities receiving rehabilitated individuals.
The programme included beneficiaries mainly from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and other states affected by insurgency.
Amnesty International, NBA Raise Concerns
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, warned that reintegrating former terrorists without addressing victims’ pain could create fresh tensions.
Amnesty International also called for greater transparency in the process.
The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the government should clearly explain the roles played by individuals being rehabilitated.
He stressed that communities deserve to know whether beneficiaries were fighters, informants, or directly involved in violent attacks.
The Borno State Government insists that its rehabilitation programme includes strict deradicalisation measures aimed at preventing former terrorists from returning to violence.
However, concerns from civil society groups and legal experts continue to fuel national debate over transparency, accountability, and the long-term impact of reintegrating repentant terrorists into communities.
