The Borno State Government has defended its deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former insurgents, insisting that strict measures are in place to prevent rehabilitated ex-terrorists from returning to violent activities.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview on News Central Television on Monday, where she explained that one of the programme’s strongest safeguards is an oath sworn with the Quran at the final stage of rehabilitation.
According to her, the oath carries deep spiritual consequences for beneficiaries and serves as a strong deterrent against returning to insurgency.
“When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is they take an oath with the Quran. Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” she said.
Gambo added that fears that some rehabilitated fighters could return to the bush may be misplaced, arguing that surrendered insurgents are often viewed as traitors by terrorist groups.
“People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival. The moment you step out and surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel,” she stated.
She, however, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge confronting the rehabilitation initiative, noting that providing food, shelter, education and welfare support for large numbers of beneficiaries remains difficult.
“The challenge has to do with funding because you bring a lot of people on board, but how are you going to feed them, clothe them and provide them with access to education?” she asked.
Public concerns over the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme, popularly known as Operation Safe Corridor, intensified following the recent graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former insurgents.
Of the total number, 597 beneficiaries were from Borno State, while others came from Adamawa State, Yobe State, Kano State and other parts of the country.
The development has continued to generate mixed reactions among stakeholders, with many questioning the transparency of the programme and whether enough attention is being paid to victims of insurgency.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, said while reintegration policies can be beneficial, they must not neglect victims who suffered losses during the insurgency.
“Reintegrating persons who may have unleashed violence or destroyed properties without addressing the hurt of victims would appear as compensating perpetrators while overlooking the victims,” he said.
Similarly, Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for greater transparency in the process, warning that concerns remain over reports that some so-called repentant insurgents may return to terrorism.
“The government must be transparent about who these people are, their level of involvement, and the roles they played during the insurgency,” Sanusi said.
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