The Federal Government has confirmed that at least 5,000 former Boko Haram fighters have successfully undergone rehabilitation and have been reunited with their families, sparking fresh debates about security and reconciliation efforts in Nigeria.
The announcement was made by Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas, Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Speaking at the second-day session of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, Abbas stated that the deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) programme, known as Operation Safe Corridor, had successfully reformed thousands of ex-combatants.
According to her, the initiative, which spans six months, equips former insurgents with vocational skills and psychological reorientation. “Under Operation Safe Corridor, we have deradicalised over 5,000 ex-combatants of Boko Haram and reunited them with their families. They are using the skills they have acquired during their time in the rehabilitation camp to sustain themselves within their communities,” Abbas said.
She emphasized that none of the rehabilitated individuals had returned to terrorism since their reintegration, attributing the success to a structured monitoring mechanism involving the National Orientation Agency (NOA), traditional rulers, and religious leaders across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Public Concern Over Reintegration
The reintegration of former Boko Haram fighters remains a divisive issue among Nigerians, especially in communities that have borne the brunt of the group’s insurgency. The terror group, responsible for over 35,000 deaths and the displacement of more than two million people in Nigeria and neighboring countries, has left a trail of destruction across the Lake Chad region.
Victims and civil society groups have repeatedly expressed fears that releasing former insurgents without strict security measures could lead to renewed violence. Many argue that while rehabilitation is necessary, justice for victims must not be overlooked.
A displaced resident of Bama, Borno State, who lost family members in a Boko Haram attack, voiced his concerns: “They say these fighters have repented, but what about those they killed? What about the families they destroyed? How do we know they won’t go back to their old ways?”
However, security experts argue that rehabilitating and reintegrating former fighters is a pragmatic approach to ending insurgency. According to Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a security analyst, “The reality is that a purely military approach will not end terrorism. Many of these insurgents surrendered because they saw no future in fighting. If handled properly, reintegration can weaken the group and encourage more fighters to lay down their arms.”
The “Borno Model”
Abbas also highlighted the Borno Model, a state-led reintegration strategy initiated by the Borno State Government to complement federal efforts. The approach aims to reintegrate individuals who voluntarily abandon extremist groups.
“We always say the Borno Model is a model of necessity, but we have recorded a lot of success. Many repented fighters have been reunited with their families, and this has contributed to relative peace in parts of the Northeast,” she noted.
The Borno Model has received mixed reactions, with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State stating that the initiative has been instrumental in stabilizing communities. “We cannot kill our way out of this problem. While we continue military operations, we must also give those willing to surrender a second chance,” he said in a previous address.
Calls for Regional Strategy
At the forum, Abbas urged governors within the Lake Chad region to adopt a harmonized approach in handling the reintegration of ex-fighters. The Lake Chad Basin, which includes Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, has been severely affected by Boko Haram’s activities, making regional cooperation essential in combating extremism.
She stressed that a unified strategy would help ensure that repented insurgents are properly rehabilitated and monitored. “If different states and countries have conflicting reintegration policies, we will create loopholes that could be exploited by terrorist elements. We must work together,” she stated.
Monitoring and Future Outlook
Despite assurances from the government, skepticism remains high regarding the long-term effectiveness of the reintegration program. Critics point out that some defectors may feign repentance to escape prosecution, only to return to violence later.
However, Abbas maintained that the federal government has put mechanisms in place to track and monitor rehabilitated ex-combatants. “The National Orientation Agency and local leaders play a critical role in this. We don’t just release them and hope for the best; we actively monitor their reintegration and progress,” she said.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the insurgency, experts warn that the reintegration process must be transparent, inclusive, and balanced with justice for victims. Whether this approach will lead to lasting peace or backfire remains a question only time will answer.
