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| Their formal reintegration took place on June 12, 2026, during a ceremony at Camp Hajj in Maiduguri, coinciding with Nigeria's Democracy Day. |
— MAIDUGURI, Nigeria
Borno State government has reintegrated 720 former Boko Haram fighters, along with their families, bringing the total number of ex-insurgents processed under its deradicalization and reintegration program to 9,680.
The latest group, dubbed Batch 9, includes 720 low-risk men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children. Their formal reintegration took place on June 12, 2026, during a ceremony at Camp Hajj in Maiduguri, coinciding with Nigeria's Democracy Day.
These individuals, classified as repentant and low-risk, surrendered to Nigerian troops and underwent a process of assessment, deradicalization, religious reorientation, counseling, and vocational training in trades such as tailoring, welding, and agriculture.
Before their release, the 720 men swore an oath on the Quran, pledging to renounce violence and never return to insurgency. Authorities describe the "Borno Model" as a non-military complement to military operations aimed at weakening Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
Before the ninth group, 8,960 people had already been reintegrated in eight previous groups since the structured program gained momentum.
While authorities present the initiative as a success that encourages surrenders and supports long-term peace in the northeast, it continues to generate controversy. Many residents and relatives of the victims express deep concern for community safety, the potential for recidivism, and the lack of justice for the atrocities committed during the 17-year insurgency.
This development comes amid broader security challenges in the region, where thousands more have reportedly surrendered in recent years, though full acceptance by traumatized communities remains a significant obstacle.