The Borno State Government has disclosed that no fewer than 8,950 repentant terrorists have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society in eight batches under its deradicalisation programme.
The government also revealed that participants in the programme are required to swear an oath on the Quran as a final step, aimed at preventing them from returning to insurgency.
Zuwaira Gambo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, made this known during an interview aired on News Central Television on Monday.
She explained that the oath-taking marks the final stage of the Borno model for deradicalisation and reintegration.
“When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is take an oath with the Quran. Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” she said.
Gambo acknowledged public scepticism about the initiative, noting concerns that some rehabilitated individuals could return to insurgency. However, she insisted that such fears are largely exaggerated.
“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,” she added.
She identified inadequate funding as a major challenge affecting the programme, stressing that authorities are often burdened with providing food, clothing, education, and other welfare needs for thousands undergoing rehabilitation.
Also speaking, Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser on Security Affairs to Governor Babagana Zulum, said more than 300,000 individuals, including farmers, women, and children, have surrendered during the insurgency.
He added that the 8,950 rehabilitated individuals were processed through the state’s programme in eight batches.
In February 2026, at least 117 repentant terrorists completed the Federal Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor in Borno State.
The participants underwent the DRR process at the Mallam Sidi Camp.
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