The Borno State Government has defended its deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former insurgents, assuring residents that measures are in place to discourage beneficiaries from returning to violent activities.
Speaking during an interview aired on Monday, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, said one of the key safeguards in the rehabilitation process is the oath-taking conducted with the Quran at the final stage of the programme.
According to her, the oath carries serious spiritual implications for participants and is considered an important part of the Borno rehabilitation model.
Gambo also dismissed fears that rehabilitated ex-fighters could easily return to insurgent groups, arguing that those who surrender to government authorities are often treated as outcasts by terrorist factions.
She further identified inadequate funding as a major challenge confronting the programme, noting that the government faces difficulties in providing feeding, clothing, education and other support services for large numbers of rehabilitated individuals.
Debate over the Federal Government’s deradicalisation initiative, Operation Safe Corridor, intensified following the recent graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former insurgents. Reports indicated that 597 of the beneficiaries were from Borno State, while others came from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano and other states.
The programme has continued to attract criticism from some stakeholders who questioned the transparency of the process and raised concerns about justice for victims of insurgency.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, said reintegration policies could be beneficial but warned against neglecting victims affected by insurgent violence.
Similarly, Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for greater openness in the process. He argued that authorities should provide clearer details about the identities of rehabilitated individuals and the roles they played during the insurgency to build public confidence in the programme.
