No fewer than 8,490 repentant Boko Haram members have been reintegrated through the Borno Model process. The Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, stated that these individuals have been cleared by military and other security agencies, along with traditional leaders.
Prof. Tar emphasized that the reintegrated members are considered low-risk and include many minors. He noted that comprehensive surveys indicate that those reintegrated have adhered to societal rules and have not returned to militant activities.
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Oath-Taking Event
During an oath-taking ceremony for 560 repentant insurgents in Maiduguri on Wednesday, July 10, Prof. Tar reiterated the success of the Borno Model. He highlighted that over the past three years, the model has facilitated the safe return of former insurgents and those caught in the violence. The returnees have received training in various trades, including phone repairs, mechanics, and carpentry.
Government Confidence
The Borno Model has garnered confidence from the Office of the National Security Adviser and is being considered by other state governments as a potential framework for similar initiatives. Prof. Tar assured the public that the positive reintegration of thousands of individuals evidences the model’s success.
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The Borno state government has asserted that the repentant Boko Haram members, who have sworn by the Holy Qur’an to uphold good citizenship, are unlikely to return to violence. The government believes that those who revert to militancy would only harm themselves, reinforcing the effectiveness of the reintegration process.
