The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents, 992 spouses and 2,050 children into their communities as part of its deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

The beneficiaries, who form Batch 9 of the state’s reintegration initiative, were formally presented at a ceremony held at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri on Friday.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security and member of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Committee, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd.), said the programme remains a key component of the state’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insurgency.

According to him, the initiative began on July 5, 2021, when communities across Borno agreed to accept repentant insurgents willing to abandon violence and embrace peace.

“Today the Borno Model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in the history of mankind, with over 350,000 persons that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military,” Ishaq said.

He explained that the latest beneficiaries underwent screening, profiling, disarmament, deradicalisation and rehabilitation before being approved for reintegration.

The former insurgents participated in vocational training programmes including carpentry, tailoring, welding, bricklaying, barbing, phone repairs, solar installation, vulcanising and motorcycle repairs.

Their spouses were also trained in skills such as tailoring, knitting, soap making and catering services.

Ishaq disclosed that the state government provided starter packs to support the beneficiaries as they begin life in their communities.

He added that with the latest batch, the Borno Model has now reintegrated 9,680 former insurgents since the programme commenced.

“The clients seated before you were disarmed, demobilised, thoroughly deradicalised and rehabilitated,” he said.

He noted that the beneficiaries came from several local government areas, including Bama, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Ngala and Gubio.

Ishaq said community leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters participated in the screening process before the beneficiaries were recommended for reintegration.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, described the event as a celebration of hope, reconciliation and peacebuilding.

She commended Governor Zulum for supporting programmes aimed at rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.

According to her, the ministry has provided psychosocial support, family reunification services, child protection interventions, vocational training and empowerment programmes to aid the successful reintegration of affected families.

Representatives of religious leaders, security agencies and government officials also urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to the development of their communities.

Some previously reintegrated beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude for being accepted back into society, saying they have since lived peacefully and contributed to the socio-economic development of their communities.