Borno Model reintegrates 3,762 ex-insurgents – is this real peace or just a time bomb?

Borno State Government just reintegrated another 3,762 former insurgents and their family members under the Borno Model. 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children. They finished deradicalisation and vocational training in tailoring, carpentry, phone repairs, solar installation. Even female participants got soap making and catering training.

Retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, the Special Adviser on Security, said over 9,600 people have been reintegrated since July 2021. Commissioner Zuwaira Gambo through her Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai called it a commitment to restoring peace. But I dey ask myself – these are people who once carried AK-47s against us. Now they get starter packs and return to communities in Bama, Gwoza, Damboa. Is this genuine repentance or are we just feeding future trouble?

For my Northern people, we know the pain Boko Haram caused. Hausa proverb says 'Ribar da aka samu a hankali, ita ce take dorewa' – the profit gained patiently is what lasts. I hope Zulum's patience pays off because if one of these people goes back to violence, the trust we are building will scatter like harmattan dust.