May 12, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel Report
The Borno State Government has disclosed that individuals who have renounced insurgency and are undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration into society are required to take a formal oath of repentance using the Holy Quran before being cleared for reintegration.
This was revealed as part of ongoing updates on the state’s de-radicalisation and reintegration programme aimed at addressing the long-running security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East region.
According to officials, the oath-taking process is a key accountability step designed to confirm genuine repentance, commitment to peaceful coexistence, and renunciation of violent extremist ideology.
The state government explained that the process is conducted under strict supervision involving security agencies, religious leaders, and rehabilitation coordinators to ensure credibility and prevent relapse into violence.
Authorities noted that the programme is part of a broader non-kinetic strategy combining rehabilitation, education, psychological counselling, and vocational training for individuals who voluntarily surrender or are captured and later assessed as suitable for reintegration.
Officials further stated that the oath is not a standalone measure but part of a structured process that includes screening, deradicalisation sessions, and community-based reconciliation efforts before former insurgents are allowed to return to their communities.
The government emphasised that the initiative is intended to strengthen peacebuilding efforts in Borno State, which has been one of the hardest-hit regions in the Boko Haram insurgency over the past decade.
However, the policy continues to generate mixed reactions among residents and observers, with some expressing concerns about trust, security risks, and the long-term effectiveness of reintegration programmes for former combatants.
Security analysts note that similar deradicalisation frameworks have been implemented in other conflict zones globally, often combining legal, psychological, and spiritual components to support reintegration while maintaining monitoring systems.
As of press time, the Borno State Government maintains that the programme remains ongoing and is being regularly reviewed to balance humanitarian rehabilitation goals with public safety concerns across affected communities.
