The Borno State government announced that a total of 8,490 repentant Boko Haram members have been successfully reintegrated through the Borno Model process.
According to the government, some of the individuals have been trained in phone repairs, mechanic works, carpentry and all sorts of trades.
The State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, mentioned during an oath-taking ceremony for 560 former insurgents in Maiduguri on Wednesday that the recently reintegrated terrorists are considered low risks and minors.
He added that they have received clearance from the military, other security agencies, and traditional leaders from their respective communities.
The commissioner also highlighted the success of the program, citing surveys that indicated those reintegrated into society have not violated any rules or returned to the bushes.
Tar said: “For the past three years, we established the Borno Model for the mass return of insurgents and those who were trapped in the line of violence. Today we are winning out an additional 560 returnees who are risks and minors. They have been trained in phone repairs, mechanics, carpentry and all sorts of trades.
“This platform has been very successful, so people should not be worried because of a few challenges. Office of the National Security Adviser has shown confidence in this process (Borno Model), and we are working with other state governments who are exploring ways and means of adopting our Borno Model.”
On his part, the Borno State Special Adviser on Security Affairs, Brig. General Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), said Governor Babagana Zulum‘s administration, through the Borno Model, has reintegrated 8,490 low risks and minors into society.
He said: “As I speak today, we have so far reintegrated a total of 8,490 low risks and minors. In the past, we resettled 7,930 and now 560 people, many of them 10 years ago when insurgents invaded their villages and were forcefully taken away.
“There are almajirai, farmers, fishermen, and others who were forced against their will to join the Boko Haram sect; so, these are low risks and minors. The community leaders came here to screen and request that we should release them to the community.
“Many of them are from Konduga, Dikwa, Ngala, Marte, Kukawa, Mobbar, Bama, Gwoza, and other LGAs.
“After this training, they will also receive starter packs at the end of the programme, before being returned to the communities that had screened them for the training.”
