The Borno State Government has announced that it has successfully reintegrated approximately 8,000 former Boko Haram insurgents and their families into society, achieving about 75 percent success in its rehabilitation program.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this while speaking on the progress and challenges of the initiative in Maiduguri on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She emphasized that the program has become a critical component of the state's peace-building and recovery efforts 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 percent success," she said.
According to her, the surrender of thousands of former insurgents created a major humanitarian and security responsibility for the state government, prompting Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to establish structures to manage the rehabilitation and reintegration process. She explained that many of those who surrendered were not directly involved in combat operations but served as logistics suppliers and support personnel within insurgent camps.
"We have integrated about 8,000 or thereabout," she disclosed, noting that the majority of those arriving at the camps were women and children, many of whom came with traumatic experiences, health challenges, and little exposure to formal 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 said.
The commissioner added that some of the children had never lived in organized communities or seen modern buildings before their arrival at the rehabilitation camps. She said one of the earliest challenges faced by the government was how to manage the large number of people while also earning their trust and convincing them that life outside the insurgent enclaves offered better opportunities.
To address the situation, the government deployed trained social workers and established temporary learning centers, clinics, and skills acquisition centers to support the rehabilitation process. Vulnerable groups, including widows, orphans, elderly persons, and persons living with disabilities, were separated for specialized care at interim care centers.
After undergoing psychosocial support and rehabilitation, many of them were reunited with their families and communities following consultations with relatives and community leaders. Gambo, however, identified funding as one of the major challenges confronting the program.
"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.
She also dismissed claims that some rehabilitated persons returned to insurgent groups after reintegration, noting that insurgent groups often reject those who surrender and later attempt to return.
