{"id":127583,"date":"2026-06-12T18:31:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=127583"},"modified":"2026-06-12T18:31:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:31:50","slug":"borno-reintegrates-720-ex-insurgents-as-pfn-nigerians-renew-calls-to-end-amnesty-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/borno-reintegrates-720-ex-insurgents-as-pfn-nigerians-renew-calls-to-end-amnesty-programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Borno Reintegrates 720 Ex-Insurgents as PFN, Nigerians Renew Calls to End Amnesty Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Oscar Okhifo<\/strong><\/div>\n
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The Borno State Government has reintegrated another 720 rehabilitated former insurgents into their communities under its Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme, reigniting controversy over Nigeria’s policy of granting amnesty and rehabilitation to surrendered terrorists.<\/p>\n

The beneficiaries, classified by the government as “low-risk” and “minor clients,” constitute Batch 9 of the programme. They were formally sworn in with the Holy Quran before being reunited with their families and communities after completing rehabilitation and deradicalisation processes.<\/p>\n

The latest exercise forms part of the non-kinetic counter-insurgency strategy launched by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on July 5, 2021, aimed at encouraging insurgents to surrender, abandon violence and return to civilian life through rehabilitation, counselling and vocational training.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the programme, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), described the initiative as one of the country’s most successful peacebuilding efforts.<\/p>\n

“With the latest exercise, a total of 9,680 former insurgents have now been rehabilitated and reintegrated under the programme since its inception,” he said.<\/p>\n

Abdullahi disclosed that the programme has also catered for 992 spouses and 2,050 children linked to former insurgents, providing religious instruction, psychosocial support, vocational training and starter packs to facilitate their reintegration into society.<\/p>\n

The latest batch of beneficiaries was drawn from Bama, Konduga, Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Monguno, Kukawa, Ngala, Kala Balge and Gubio local government areas after undergoing screening by community leaders, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters.<\/p>\n

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, described the programme as a symbol of reconciliation and recovery for communities devastated by more than a decade of insurgency.<\/p>\n

However, the latest reintegration exercise has triggered fresh criticism from religious groups, security commentators and members of the public who argue that the policy prioritises perpetrators over victims of terrorism.<\/p>\n

The debate gained renewed momentum on Thursday after the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) condemned the continued granting of amnesty to repentant terrorists and called on the government to discontinue the programme.<\/p>\n

Critics contend that thousands of civilians and security personnel lost their lives during the insurgency, while millions were displaced from their homes, making rehabilitation and reintegration difficult for many victims to accept.<\/p>\n

Some security experts have also argued that the policy could negatively affect troop morale by creating the perception that individuals who once took up arms against the state are eventually rewarded with rehabilitation, vocational training and support packages.<\/p>\n

An Islamic cleric in Ibadan, who requested anonymity, questioned the rationale behind the programme.<\/p>\n

“In Chad, Mali, Cameroon, Algeria, Northern Ireland, Shrilanka, and many other countries, terrorists faced and are facing capital punishment. Why should it be the business of government to keep rehabilitating those who declared war on helpless innocent communities and citizens? The cost in terms of human casualties runs into hundreds of thousands over more than 15 years, while the economic losses are in trillions. Fear and hunger are what they have brought.<\/p>\n

“Why should their so-called surrender and repentance be accepted? Whoever killed should be killed,” he said.<\/p>\n

Similar sentiments were expressed by Hajiya Iluebe Aishat, a resident of Aviele in Edo State, who described the policy as insensitive to victims of insurgency.<\/p>\n

“I have never seen this type of government inhumanity to Nigerians. After shedding so much blood, they sense danger, surrender and claim repentance, and the government embraces them. They are now called ‘our brothers’ and ‘prodigal sons’. It is so painful,” she said during a discussion on a WhatsApp platform.<\/p>\n

In Makurdi, Benue State, a radio caller, Hiram Tenso, questioned government spending on former insurgents while many victims continue to struggle with the consequences of violence.<\/p>\n

“Billions of Naira that government should use to ameliorate the plight of the victims of terror and terrorists are being used to care for those who have inflicted so much pain and are still doing it. What kind of society cares for horror givers at the expense of the recipients of such terror and horror?” he asked.<\/p>\n

Despite the growing criticism, both the Federal Government and the Borno State Government have consistently defended the DRR programme as a critical component of the broader strategy to end insurgency in the North-East.<\/p>\n

Officials argue that military operations alone cannot resolve the conflict and that encouraging defections, reducing recruitment into armed groups and facilitating community reconciliation are essential to achieving lasting peace.<\/p>\n

The programme has remained one of the most debated aspects of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, with supporters citing thousands of successful defections and reduced violence in some communities, while critics continue to insist that accountability and justice for victims must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of peace.<\/p>\n

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With nearly 10,000 former insurgents now reintegrated under the Borno initiative, the latest exercise is expected to intensify the national conversation over whether rehabilitation should remain Nigeria’s preferred approach to dealing with surrendered fighters or whether a more punitive framework is required for those involved in acts of terrorism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n