Monday, May 11, 2026 - The Borno Government has disclosed that it has recorded about 75 per cent success in the reintegration of former Boko Haram insurgents and their families into society.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,
Zuwaira Gambo, made the disclosure while speaking on the progress and
challenges of the programme in Maiduguri on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
She noted that the initiative had become a critical
component of the state’s peace-building and recovery efforts following the mass
surrender of insurgents and their families in the North East.
"With all sense of modesty, and I want to be very
humble about it, I think we have about 75 per cent success,” she said.
According to her, the surrender of thousands of former
insurgents created a major humanitarian and security responsibility for the
state government, leading Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to establish structures
to manage the rehabilitation and reintegration process.
She explained that many of those who surrendered were not
directly involved in combat operations but served as logistics suppliers and
support personnel within insurgent camps
"We have integrated about 8,000 or thereabout,” she
disclosed, noting that the majority of those arriving at the camps were women
and children, many of whom came with traumatic experiences, health challenges
and little exposure to formal society.
"These are women that are coming out with trauma. These
are women that may be victims of gender-based violence. These are women
suffering from mental health and psychosocial challenges,” she said.
The commissioner added that some of the children had never
lived in organised communities or seen modern buildings before their arrival at
the rehabilitation camps.
She said one of the earliest challenges faced by the
government was how to manage the large number of people while also earning
their trust and convincing them that life outside the insurgent enclaves
offered better opportunities.
To address the situation, she said the government deployed
trained social workers and established temporary learning centres, clinics and
skills acquisition centres to support the rehabilitation process.
According to her, vulnerable groups, including widows,
orphans, elderly persons and persons living with disabilities, were separated
for specialised care at interim care centres.
She explained that after undergoing psychosocial support and
rehabilitation, many of them were reunited with their families and communities
following consultations with relatives and community leaders.
Gambo, however, identified funding as one of the major
challenges confronting the programme.
"It has to do with funding because you bring a lot of
people on board. You have to feed them, clothe them and provide access to
education,” she said.
She also dismissed claims that some rehabilitated persons
returned to insurgent groups after reintegration.
According to her, insurgent groups often reject those who
surrender and later attempt to return.
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