The Borno State Government has defended its controversial rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram fighters, insisting that repentant terrorists undergo strict deradicalisation processes, including swearing an oath with the Quran before they are allowed back into society. The government said the religious oath forms a major part of efforts aimed at ensuring the ex-fighters do not return to terrorism after surrendering.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, made the disclosure during an interview aired on News Central Television, where she addressed growing concerns among Nigerians over the increasing number of former insurgents being reintegrated into communities in the North-East. According to her, the final stage of the Borno rehabilitation model requires the former fighters to swear by the Quran, a step she described as spiritually binding and deeply significant within the context of Islamic belief.
Gambo stated that many people fear the repentant insurgents could eventually return to the bush and resume attacks, but argued that the oath-taking process carries serious implications for anyone who violates it. She explained that once the individuals surrender to constituted authorities and go through the rehabilitation programme, they are regarded differently by insurgent groups, making it difficult for them to safely return to extremist camps. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Her comments come amid renewed public debate surrounding the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative, a programme designed to rehabilitate, deradicalise, and reintegrate former Boko Haram members into society. The programme recently graduated 744 former terrorists, with the majority coming from Borno State, while others were drawn from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano, and other states affected by insurgency.
The reintegration exercise has continued to generate outrage among many Nigerians, particularly victims of insurgency attacks who believe justice has not been adequately served. Critics argue that communities devastated by years of killings, abductions, and destruction are being asked to accept former fighters without sufficient transparency regarding their past crimes or their level of involvement in terrorist operations.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, also raised concerns about the process, warning that reintegrating individuals accused of violent crimes without fully addressing the suffering of victims could create the impression that perpetrators are being rewarded while victims are ignored. Security experts and civil society groups have similarly called for greater accountability and openness in the handling of ex-combatants.
Despite the criticism, the Borno State Government maintains that the programme remains necessary to encourage defections from terrorist groups and reduce violence in the region. Officials argue that rehabilitation and reintegration are globally recognised strategies in conflict resolution and counterinsurgency efforts, although experts continue to debate their long-term effectiveness in Nigeria’s security environment.
Gambo also admitted that funding remains one of the major challenges affecting the programme, noting that rehabilitating former insurgents involves feeding, clothing, educating, and providing long-term support for thousands of individuals. She stressed that sustaining the initiative requires significant resources and continued collaboration between government agencies and humanitarian partners.
As insecurity continues to affect parts of Northern Nigeria, the debate over how to balance justice, reconciliation, and national security remains one of the country’s most sensitive and divisive issues.
