KEY POINTS

• Borno says repentant terrorists must swear on the Quran before rejoining society.
• The state says nearly 9,000 former insurgents have completed rehabilitation so far.
• Officials identified inadequate funding as a major challenge affecting the reintegration programme.

The Borno State Government has revealed that repentant terrorists who complete its rehabilitation programme are required to swear an oath using the Quran before they are allowed back into society.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview on News Central Television.

According to her, the oath-taking ceremony is the final stage of the state’s deradicalisation and reintegration process of the terrorists.

She explained that the government believes the religious oath serves as a strong moral and spiritual commitment against returning to insurgency.

Government Defends Reintegration Programme

Gambo acknowledged that many Nigerians remain worried that former terrorists could return to insurgent activities after being reintegrated into communities.

However, she argued that such fears are exaggerated, saying those who choose to go back to the bush risk being killed immediately.

According to her, the programme is carefully structured to reform former terrorists before they are released back into society.

Funding Challenges Affect Rehabilitation Efforts of Terrorists

The commissioner also identified poor funding as one of the biggest challenges facing the programme.

She said the government is responsible for feeding, clothing, educating, and providing welfare support for thousands of people undergoing rehabilitation, which places heavy pressure on state resources.

Also speaking during the interview, Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser on Security Affairs to Governor Babagana Zulum, said more than 300,000 people — including women, children, and farmers — have surrendered since the insurgency began.

He added that 8,950 individuals have successfully completed rehabilitation and reintegration in eight batches under the Borno State programme.

Earlier in February 2026, at least 117 repentant terrorists graduated from the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor de-radicalisation programme at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Borno State.