The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who surrendered to troops after undergoing deradicalisation and rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.
It was said that the individuals, described as "low-risk and minor clients," formed Batch 9 of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) programme.
All 720 men swore on the Holy Quran as part of the reintegration process before returning to their communities.
Brig Gen Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd), Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security and member of the reintegration committee, disclosed this at a ceremony at the Hajj Camp on Friday.
Ishaq said the event was another milestone in the Borno Model, the state’s non-kinetic approach to the insurgency in the North East.
He recalled the programme began on 5 July 2021, when the state government agreed to accept those willing to drop arms.
"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," he said.
According to Ishaq, the 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children were deradicalised, disarmed and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp and trained in various skills.
He averred that their return began after contact from colleagues encouraging them to surrender and reunite with their families.
The former general explained that those who surrendered reported to the nearest military location for profiling and those with weapons handed them over to troops.
While those who failed to reach military locations were arrested and killed, the rest were moved to Hajj Camp for documentation, profiling and deradicalisation.
He stressed that camp administrators kept them engaged with programmes aimed at deradicalisation and preparation for life after camp.
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Islamic lectures, hygiene and drug abuse sessions were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he added.
Skill acquisition training in metalworks, carpentry, tailoring, bricklaying, barbing, phone repair, solar installation, motorcycle repair and other trades took place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Women who received training in catering, knitting, cap making, tailoring and soap making were given starter packs, he disclosed
With 8,960 individuals reintegrated in Batches 1 to 8, Friday’s batch of 720 brings the total to 9,680 clients under the Borno Model, he added.
Ishaq said the 720 clients came from Bama, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Gamboru, Ngala, Kala Balge and Gubio. Community leaders and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) screened them before recommending them for reintegration.
He urged them to return home, obey the law and participate in community development.
In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai, said the day reflected the government’s commitment to restoring peace and rebuilding lives affected by insurgency.
Kadai said the ministry had provided psychosocial support, family tracing, child protection, vocational training and community sensitisation to support successful reintegration.
The Chief Imam of Borno, represented by Sheikh Shettima Jafar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, and representatives of the Police, Immigration, Customs and Correctional Service also addressed the gathering to be law-abiding.
Former reintegrated members Idris Abdulkadir, Ali Kaka and Ibrahim Mohammed also gave a vote of thanks.
They said they were living peacefully with their communities and contributing to the state’s development.
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