Borno says repentant terrorists take a Quran oath before reintegration.

The Borno State Government has sought to calm concerns that individuals who have completed the rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme might revert to terrorist activities after reintegration.

According to officials, a central element of the programme is an oath taken on the Quran, which they consider a robust deterrent against re‑engagement in armed conflict.

State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development Zuwaira Gambo explained this in an interview with Newscentral television aired on Monday, emphasizing that breaking an oath sworn on the holy book carries serious consequences.

She said, “When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is, they take an oath with the Quran. Once you swear by the quran, you know the implication.”

“People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival. So, it is not even about whether they have been certified or we trust them or not. The law of the jungle takes care of that. The moment you step out, and you surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel,” she added.

The commissioner also highlighted persistent challenges, notably funding shortfalls, that hinder the programme’s smooth operation.

“The challenge, of course, has to do with funding, because you bring a lot of people on board, but how are you going to feed them, how are you going to clothe and provide for them with necessary access to education,” she stressed.

On April 19, PUNCH Online reported growing public outrage over the recent graduation and planned reintegration of 744 former terrorists under the Federal Government’s De‑radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme, Operation Safe Corridor.

The beneficiaries, primarily drawn from conflict‑affected states, included 597 individuals from Borno State, with the remainder hailing from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano and several other states.

The announcement sparked a broad debate concerning transparency, accountability, and the impact of reintegration on victims of violent extremism.

Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe remarked that, while the policy is not inherently flawed, it raises serious concerns about secrecy and lack of oversight.

He said, “Reintegrating persons who may have unleashed violence or burned properties or committed other criminal activities into communities without addressing the hurt of the victims would appear as compensating perpetrators while overlooking the victims.”

Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director Isa Sanusi noted that, although international law supports the reintegration of surrendering individuals, the Nigerian process lacks transparency.

Sanusi said, “There are serious concerns that some of those called repentant sometimes go back to what they do. The government must be transparent about who they are and their level of involvement. Tell the people who these people are, what kind of terrorism they were involved in, and whether they were informants or killers. These things have to be made very clear.”