The Borno State Government has dismissed fears that repentant terrorists reintegrated into society after undergoing rehabilitation and deradicalisation could return to insurgency.
The state government said a major part of the rehabilitation process involves taking an oath with the Quran, which it described as a strong deterrent against returning to terrorism.
Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, stated this during an interview aired on News Central Television on Monday.
According to her, the oath-taking process carries serious spiritual and moral consequences for those who complete the programme.
“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. Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” she said.
Gambo added that although some people fear the former fighters could return to the bush, such a move would put them at risk among insurgent groups.
“People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival. So, it is not even about whether they have been certified or we trust them or not. The law of the jungle takes care of that. The moment you step out, and you surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel,” she explained.
The commissioner, however, admitted that funding remains a major challenge affecting the rehabilitation and reintegration programme.
She said the government faces difficulties in providing food, clothing, education, and other support services for the large number of people enrolled in the programme.
“The challenge, of course, has to do with funding, because you bring a lot of people on board, but how are you going to feed them, how are you going to clothe and provide for them with necessary access to education,” she stated.
The comments come amid growing public debate over the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme, known as Operation Safe Corridor.
On April 19, authorities announced the graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former terrorists who completed the programme. Of the total number, 597 were from Borno State, while others came from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano, and other states.
The development sparked concerns over transparency, accountability, and the impact of reintegrating former insurgents into communities affected by violent extremism.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, said the policy raised concerns about justice for victims.
He warned that reintegrating former terrorists without addressing the suffering of victims could create the impression that perpetrators were being rewarded while victims were ignored.
Also reacting, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said although international law supports reintegration efforts, the Nigerian process lacks transparency.
Sanusi called on the government to provide more details about the identities and roles of those undergoing rehabilitation, including the level of involvement they had in terrorist activities.
