The Borno State Government has sought to ease public concerns over fears that rehabilitated former terrorists could return to violent activities after passing through the state’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme.
According to government officials, one of the key safeguards built into the process is the oath sworn with the Quran, which they believe serves as a powerful deterrent against any return to insurgency.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview on News Central Television aired on Monday.
She explained that the oath-taking stage represents the final phase of the state’s rehabilitation model and carries serious spiritual consequences for those who participate.
“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 also addressed concerns that some former fighters might attempt to return to insurgent camps after reintegration.
According to her, such individuals would face grave risks if they attempted to rejoin terrorist 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 stated.
She further identified inadequate funding as one of the major challenges affecting the effective implementation of 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 added.
Public scrutiny over the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration initiative, known as Operation Safe Corridor, intensified following the graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former insurgents earlier this year.
Out of the total beneficiaries, 597 were from Borno State, while others came from Adamawa State, Yobe State, Kano State and other parts of the country.
The programme has continued to generate mixed reactions, with several stakeholders questioning the level of transparency and whether enough consideration is being given to victims of insurgency.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, acknowledged that reintegration efforts can be beneficial but warned that victims must not be ignored.
“Reintegrating persons who may have unleashed violence or burned properties or committed other criminal activities into communities without addressing the hurt of the victims would appear as compensating perpetrators while overlooking the victims,” he said.
Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director, Isa Sanusi, argued that while reintegration aligns with international best practices, the Nigerian process requires greater openness.
“There are serious concerns that some of those called repentant sometimes go back to what they do. The government must be transparent about who they are and their level of involvement. Tell the people who these people are, what kind of terrorism they were involved in, and whether they were informants or killers. These things have to be made very clear,” he said.
What You Should Know
Nigeria’s rehabilitation programme for former insurgents remains one of the country’s most controversial security strategies.
While authorities argue it helps reduce radicalisation and supports peacebuilding, critics insist that justice for victims and greater transparency are necessary for public trust.
The debate reflects broader concerns about balancing reconciliation with accountability in conflict recovery efforts.
