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According to a report by Daily Trust on Friday, June 12, 2026, the Borno State Government has announced the reintegration of 720 repentant Boko Haram members, along with 992 women and 2,050 children, into their respective communities as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the state.
The development marks another significant step in the state’s non-kinetic approach to combating insurgency and promoting reconciliation among former fighters who have voluntarily abandoned violence.
Speaking during the reintegration ceremony, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, revealed that the former insurgents willingly surrendered to the Nigerian military after deciding to renounce their involvement in terrorist activities.
According to him, the repentant individuals underwent a comprehensive deradicalisation, disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri.
During the programme, they also received various vocational and skills-acquisition training designed to help them become productive members of society.
Before being accepted back into their communities, the former insurgents publicly swore on the Holy Quran that they would never return to their previous activities and would instead embrace peaceful coexistence.
General Ishaq described the Borno Model as one of the most successful non-kinetic counterinsurgency programmes in modern history.
He stated that more than 350,000 people have voluntarily left insurgent camps and surrendered to security forces since the programme began.
“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 who willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military,” he said.
He further explained that many of those who surrendered were encouraged by former colleagues who had already embraced peace and reunited with their families.
These messages, he noted, played a key role in convincing others to abandon life in the bush and return home.
The reintegration exercise reflects the government’s continued commitment to achieving lasting peace, rebuilding communities affected by insurgency, and creating opportunities for former fighters to become responsible citizens.
However, the programme continues to generate discussions among Nigerians regarding security, justice, and long-term reconciliation in the region.
