Over 8,000 Ex-Boko Haram Members, Families Reintegrated Into Society as Good Nigerians— Borno Government
The Borno State Government says it has recorded significant progress in the reintegration of former Boko Haram insurgents and their families, with about 8,000 persons already integrated into society under its rehabilitation programme.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this in Maiduguri on Saturday while speaking on the progress and challenges of the state’s de-radicalisation and reintegration efforts.
Gambo said the initiative, driven by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has achieved about 75 per cent success, describing it as a major component of ongoing peace-building and recovery efforts in the North-East.
According to her, the mass surrender of insurgents and their families created a major humanitarian responsibility for the state government, prompting the establishment of structured rehabilitation programmes.
She explained that many of those who surrendered were not frontline fighters but individuals who played support and logistical roles within insurgent camps.
Gambo noted that the majority of those received at the rehabilitation centres were women and children, many of whom arrived with trauma, health challenges and limited exposure to organised society.
“These are women coming out with trauma, gender-based violence experiences and psychosocial challenges,” she said.
The commissioner added that some of the children had never lived in structured communities or seen modern infrastructure before arriving at the centres.
She said the state government responded by deploying social workers and establishing temporary learning centres, healthcare support services and vocational training programmes to aid rehabilitation and reintegration.
Gambo also dismissed claims that rehabilitated persons were returning to insurgent groups, insisting that many who surrender are often rejected by the same networks they abandoned.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to rehabilitation, reconciliation and sustainable peace across affected communities in Borno State.