By Chidmma Okapa l May 10, 2026
The Borno State Government of Nigeria has announced that more than 8,000 former Boko Haram terrorists insurgents and their family members have been successfully reintegrated into society as part of ongoing rehabilitation and peace-building efforts in northeastern Nigeria.
Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed the figures while addressing journalists in Maiduguri on Saturday. According to her, the state has achieved roughly 75 percent success in its reintegration programme following the mass surrender of insurgents and their relatives in recent years.
Gambo explained that the initiative became necessary after thousands of insurgents, women, and children surrendered to authorities as military operations intensified across the North-East region. She noted that many of those arriving at rehabilitation camps were not active fighters but individuals who served as cooks, logistics suppliers, or support personnel within insurgent-controlled territories.
According to the commissioner, many of the women and children rescued or surrendered from Boko Haram enclaves arrived traumatized and suffering from serious psychological and social challenges. She said the state government had to establish support systems focused on mental health care, rehabilitation, education, and social reintegration.
“These are women that are coming out with trauma,” Gambo reportedly said, adding that many had experienced gender-based violence, displacement, and years of isolation inside insurgent camps. She also revealed that some children entering rehabilitation centres had never previously lived in organized communities or seen modern infrastructure before.
The commissioner credited Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration for creating structures aimed at rebuilding trust between former insurgents and local communities while encouraging peaceful coexistence after years of conflict.
The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. The extremist group and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to carry out attacks in parts of Borno State despite years of military operations.
While authorities describe the reintegration programme as a major step toward long-term peace, the initiative has remained controversial among some residents and victims of insurgent violence who fear that former fighters could return to militancy. Security analysts have also warned that reintegration efforts must be accompanied by sustained monitoring, community reconciliation, and economic support to prevent renewed radicalization.