Borno: 8500 Boko Haram ‘Minors’ Reintegrated Back To Communities

The Borno State government has reintegrated 8,490 repentant Boko Haram members through the Borno Model process.

Th state government made the disclosure on Wednesday through the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, who said those reintegrated are minors and are considered low-risk.

He explained that the former Boko Haram mebers have been  thoroughly vetted by military and security agencies, as well as traditional leaders from their communities.

Tar said, “For the past three years, we established the Borno Model for the mass return of insurgents and those trapped in violence. Today, we are welcoming an additional 560 returnees who are low risks and minors.

“They have been trained in various trades such as phone repairs, mechanics, carpentry, and more.”

He added that surveys indicate that those reintegrated have adhered to societal norms and have not returned to insurgent activities.

The Borno State Special Adviser on Security Affairs, Brig. General Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), noted that the program has been successful, with a total of 8,490 low-risk individuals and minors reintegrated into society.

His words: “As I speak today, we have reintegrated a total of 8,490 low risks and minors.

“Previously, we resettled 7,930, and now 560 more people. Many of them were taken by insurgents when they were as young as 10 years old.”

He added that the reintegration process includes training in various trades and the provision of starter packs to help these individuals re-establish their lives.

According to him, community leaders have been involved in screening and requesting the release of these individuals back to their communities, which include areas such as Konduga, Dikwa, Ngala, Marte, Kukawa, Mobbar, Bama, and Gwoza.

Tar expressed confidence in the Borno Model, which is also being considered by other state governments as a means of addressing the reintegration of former insurgents.

Recall that some repentant Boko Haram members have been accused of returning to the fold of the Islamic insurgents group after they have been reintegrated into the society.

Not a few have also accused other former repentant members, who have been recruited into the security forces of serving as spies to the sect, thus endangering the security of troops, apart from endangering their communities.

In spite of this, not a few Nigerians have insisted that militants who have genuinely repented be absorbed back into their communities where they can be useful to themselves and the country.