Government officials and religious leaders have called for continued peace, urging rehabilitated former insurgents to fully embrace reintegration, shun violence, and support ongoing efforts to end insurgency in the region.
Speaking during the reintegration exercise, an official emphasized that the community has collectively forgiven those returning from insurgent camps and believes in their reformation.
“On behalf of the good people of Borno State and the good people of Nigeria, we have forgiven them with all our hearts.”
The official added that the former fighters were made to take a solemn oath on the Holy Quran, committing themselves to non-violence and peaceful coexistence.
“And they have sworn by the Quran not to go back to any form of vi%lence.”
According to the statement, the reintegration process is rooted in a community-driven initiative known as Borno Model, where local stakeholders actively participate in screening and accepting returnees they recognize as members of their communities.
The official explained that many of the individuals involved were victims of abd¥ction, with some reportedly taken while working on their farmlands.
“These are boys that some of them were kidn@pped in their farm, and the community is aware.”
He further described how the reintegration process is being handled at the grassroots level, stressing that the community plays a central role in identifying and accepting the returnees.
“It is the community that came and screened them and said, these are our boys.”
The official also highlighted the emotional cycle of loss and return, noting that communities that once gathered to console grieving families are now expected to celebrate the return of the rehabilitated individuals.
Authorities say the broader goal of the programme is to encourage peace, discourage relapse into vi%lence, and persuade others still in insurgent camps to surrender and reintegrate into society.
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