720 repentant insurgents have been “readmitted” into Borno communities after completing the state’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme.
The beneficiaries, described as “low-risk” participants and forming Batch 9 of the initiative, were sworn in and officially released to return to various communities across the state.
According to Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the exercise marks another milestone in the state’s “non-kinetic” approach to tackling insurgency in the North-East.
He said the programme began in July 2021 under Governor Zulum and has recorded strong participation from ex-fighters who “voluntarily surrendered” to security forces for peace.
With this latest batch, Abdullahi added that 9,680 persons have now been “readmitted”, including spouses and children linked to former insurgents.
Participants underwent structured training covering Islamic teachings, counselling, hygiene education, drug abuse awareness, and vocational skills like carpentry, tailoring, metal works, phone repairs, and solar installation.
The state government also gave “starter packs” to support their return to civilian life, while community leaders and security groups screened beneficiaries before approval.