The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents who completed its deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme, according to an official statement.

The beneficiaries, described as low-risk individuals, were released after completing Batch 9 of the state-led initiative. The exercise took place at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, where the participants were sworn in using the Holy Quran before being sent back to their communities across the state.

Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, said the programme reflects the state’s non-kinetic approach to counter-insurgency in the North-East.

He said the initiative, which began in July 2021, has recorded thousands of participants who voluntarily surrendered from insurgent groups.

According to him, “over 350,000 persons” have exited insurgent camps and surrendered to security forces since the programme began.

With the latest batch of 720 beneficiaries, the total number of reintegrated persons now stands at 9,680 across nine batches. The programme also included 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to former insurgents.

Officials explained that participants underwent structured rehabilitation, including religious instruction, counselling, hygiene education, drug awareness sessions, and vocational training in trades such as tailoring, carpentry, welding, bricklaying, phone repair, solar installation, and motorcycle maintenance.

The state government also provided starter packs to support reintegration into civilian life. Community leaders, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local hunters were involved in screening the participants before approval.

Beneficiaries were drawn from several local government areas, including Bama, Gwoza, Damboa, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Monguno, Kukawa and others.

Authorities urged the reintegrated individuals to remain law-abiding and contribute to peacebuilding efforts in their communities.