From Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
Inline with the Borno Model, the State Government has reintegrated a total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops, after many of them were deradicalized, disarmed, rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skills acquisition programmes.
These latest categories of repentant insurgents who all sworn with the Holy Quran formed part of Batch -9 low risk and minor clients who are to be reunited into their various communities across Borno State.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, who is also member of the Deradicalization Rehabilitation and Reintegration of repentant insurgents, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd) at a colorful ceremony which took place at the Hajj Camp on Friday.
He said, the event marks another milestone in Borno Model Non-Kinetic
approach to the fight against terrorism in North East region of Nigeria generally and Borno State in particular.
“It has been a success story since 5th July 2021 when the good people of Borno State under the stewardship of our dynamic leader Prof Babagana Umara Zulum agreed to forgive and accept their sons who are
willing to drop arms and embrace peace.
“Today Borno Model is
adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programme in the history of mankind with over 350,000 persons that willingly
exited the bush and surrendered to the military.
“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops are to be reintegrated after many of them were deradicalized, disarmed, rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skills acquisition programmes.
“Their way back to from the bush began with a call from their colleagues encouraging them to surrender, embrace peace and re-unite with their parents”. General Ishaq stated.
He added that the clients have hitherto exited from the bush and reported to nearest military location for initial profiling, and those with weapons surrendered to the troops.
Unfortunately Ishaq said, some left their camps but could not make it to any military location before they were arrested and killed, stressing that the lucky ones that made it to the military location were later moved to Hajj Camp for proper documentation, profiling and deradicalization.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared
towards deradicalization and preparing them for life after camp.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programmes, lectures
on hygiene, drug abuse and other fields while Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were for skill acquisition programme such as metal works, carpentry, tailoring, pot making, brick laying, barbing, cap making, repair of phones, solar installation, vulcanizing and repairs of motorcycles”. He said.
Their women according to General Ishaq were not left out in skill acquisition as they were trained in cattery services,
knitting, cap marking, tailoring, soap making to mention but few.
Ishaq noted that the State Government has provided starter packs for the clients
and their spouses to support them in their post camp life.
Continuing he said: “The Borno Model has reintegrated 8960 in Batches 1-8 and
with today’s 720 clients (Batch 9), it would be 9,680 clients.
“The clients seated in front of you were disarmed, demobilized, thoroughly deradicalized and rehabilitated. They are from Bama LGA, Kondugua LGA, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu Ngala, Kalabarge and Gubio.
“Community leaders, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters screened them properly before recommending them for reintegration”. Ishaq explained.
He urge them all to go back
home and be law abiding, participate actively and positively in community work and development programmes.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai said, the day is not merely a ceremony but it is a celebration of hope, resilience, reconciliation, and the commitment of the Borno State Government to restoring peace and rebuilding lives affected by years of insurgency.
“I would like to express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State, whose visionary leadership, compassion, and dedication to peacebuilding have continued to attract national and international recognition.
“Under Zulum’s leadership, thousands of families displaced by conflict have been resettled, communities have been rebuilt, schools and healthcare facilities have been restored, and opportunities have been created for vulnerable populations to regain their dignity and livelihoods. This programme is another testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, and social cohesion in Borno State”. Kadai said.
He noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has remained at the forefront of these efforts.
“Since the inception of various rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, the Ministry has played a critical role in providing psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification services, child protection interventions, women empowerment initiatives, vocational training, and community sensitization programmes aimed at ensuring successful reintegration.
“Our Ministry has worked tirelessly alongside state institutions, development partners, humanitarian organizations, and community stakeholders to support women, children, and vulnerable families affected by conflict. We have provided counseling services, livelihood support, educational opportunities, and social protection interventions designed to help beneficiaries rebuild their lives and become productive members of society”.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chief Imam of Borno, represented by Sheikh Shettima Jafar, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, representatives of heads of security agencies such as Police, Immigration, Customs, Correctional Service among others enjoined the clients to be good ambassadors and law abiding to the constituted authorities in the society.
In their vote of thanks, former reintegrated members of surrendered terrorists, Idris Abdulkadir, Ali Kaka and Ibrahim Mohammed expressed gratitude to all and sundry for accepting their reintegration into the society, in which they said, they have been living peacefully with members of their communities and also contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of the state.
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