Borno Records 75% Success In Rehabilitation Of Former Boko Haram Insurgents

The Borno State Government has revealed that it has achieved 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, disclosed this while speaking on the achievements and challenges of the programme in Maiduguri on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
She explained that the initiative has become an important part of the state’s peace-building and recovery process 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.
Gambo stated that the surrender of thousands of former insurgents placed a huge humanitarian and security responsibility on the state government, prompting Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to establish structures for rehabilitation and reintegration.
According to her, many of those who surrendered were not directly involved in combat but worked as logistics suppliers and support personnel in insurgent camps.
“We have integrated about 8,000 or thereabout,” she said, adding that most of those arriving at the camps were women and children dealing with trauma, health problems and limited exposure to organised 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 stated.
The commissioner further noted that some of the children had never lived in organised communities or seen modern buildings before getting to the rehabilitation camps.
She explained that one of the initial challenges faced by the government was handling the large number of people while also building their trust and convincing them that life outside insurgent enclaves offered better opportunities.
To tackle the situation, the government deployed trained social workers and established temporary learning centres, clinics and skills acquisition centres to aid rehabilitation.
She added that vulnerable persons, including widows, orphans, elderly people and persons living with disabilities, were separated for specialised care at interim care centres.
According to Gambo, after receiving psychosocial support and rehabilitation, many of them were reunited with their families and communities after consultations with relatives and community leaders.
She, however, identified inadequate funding as one of the biggest challenges affecting 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.
Gambo also dismissed claims that some rehabilitated persons returned to insurgent groups after reintegration.
She maintained that insurgent groups often reject individuals who surrender and later attempt to return.