By Uzair Adam
The Borno State Government has addressed growing concerns about the likelihood of rehabilitated former insurgents returning to violence, insisting that its deradicalisation and reintegration programme includes firm safeguards to prevent recidivism.
A key element of the process, according to the state, is an oath sworn on the Quran at the final stage of rehabilitation, which authorities believe carries strong moral and spiritual consequences for participants.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview on News Central Television on Monday.
She explained that the oath-taking marks the conclusion of the Borno model and is intended to reinforce commitment to peaceful living.
She said once beneficiaries complete the programme, they are required to swear with the Quran, stressing that those who take such an oath understand the weight of the obligation.
Gambo also responded to fears that some of the ex-fighters could return to insurgent camps, noting that such individuals would face severe consequences within the ranks of the groups they once belonged to.
According to her, individuals who surrender and embrace state authority are often treated as outsiders by insurgents, making reintegration into such groups difficult and dangerous.
She, however, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge affecting the programme’s effectiveness, noting that the increasing number of participants places pressure on available resources needed for feeding, clothing, and providing education.
Public scrutiny of the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration initiative, known as Operation Safe Corridor, intensified following the recent graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former insurgents.
Of the total number, 597 beneficiaries are from Borno State, while others are from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano and other parts of the country.
The development has generated mixed reactions among stakeholders, with many questioning the programme’s transparency, accountability and consideration for victims of insurgency.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, acknowledged that reintegration can be beneficial but cautioned that it must not come at the expense of victims.
He noted that reintegrating individuals accused of violent acts without addressing the suffering of victims could create the impression that perpetrators are being prioritised.
Similarly, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, called for greater transparency in the process.
He stressed that the government needs to provide clear information about the identities of those being reintegrated, their roles in insurgency, and the extent of their involvement, to build public trust in the programme.
