\n\n
The Borno State Government has confirmed the reintegration of 720 former insurgents into various communities after they completed a government-backed rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme. The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, who said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote peace, reduce violent extremism, and support long-term recovery in areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to the commissioner, the ex-combatants underwent extensive rehabilitation that included psychological counselling, religious reorientation, vocational training, education, and civic engagement programmes designed to prepare them for productive civilian life. He explained that the reintegration process was carried out in collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and development partners to ensure proper monitoring and acceptance within host communities. Authorities maintain that the programme aims to discourage continued participation in armed groups while encouraging defectors to embrace peaceful livelihoods.
Tar noted that the state government has continued to invest heavily in post-conflict reconstruction and community recovery projects, including the rebuilding of schools, healthcare facilities, markets, roads, and homes destroyed during years of insurgency. He added that thousands of displaced persons have also been resettled in recent years as part of broader efforts to restore normalcy across the state. The commissioner argued that rehabilitation and reintegration remain essential components of any lasting strategy to end insurgency, alongside military operations and intelligence-led security measures.
The programme, however, continues to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians. While supporters believe rehabilitation offers a pathway to lasting peace and helps weaken terrorist organisations by encouraging defections, critics have raised concerns about accountability, justice for victims, and the potential security risks associated with reintegrating former fighters into society. Despite the debate, Borno authorities insist that all participants undergo strict screening and monitoring procedures before reintegration, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to prevent a resurgence of violent extremism and strengthen peacebuilding efforts across the North-East.
