Borno defends Quran oath for rehabilitated ex-terrorists amid criticism
The Borno State Government has defended its decision to require rehabilitated former Boko Haram members to swear an oath on the Quran as part of efforts to prevent them from returning to terrorism after reintegration into society.
The move comes amid growing criticism of the federal government’s de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative under Operation Safe Corridor.
Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, said beneficiaries undergo a screening and rehabilitation process before taking the religious oath, which she described as a strong deterrent.
“Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” Gambo said during an interview aired on News Central television on Monday.
She added that any former insurgent who returns to terrorist activity risks rejection and death at the hands of active extremists, saying such persons would be regarded as “infidels” and “dead on arrival.”
Despite the government’s defence of the programme, Gambo acknowledged persistent funding challenges, noting that shortages affect feeding, clothing, education and other forms of support for participants.
The debate intensified after the April 19 graduation of 744 former insurgents under Operation Safe Corridor, including 597 from Borno State, raising public concerns over transparency, justice for victims and security implications.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, questioned the approach, arguing that reintegrating individuals accused of violence into communities without addressing victims’ suffering may appear to reward perpetrators while neglecting those harmed.
Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, called for greater transparency, expressing concerns that some rehabilitated individuals may relapse into violent activities.
“There are serious concerns that some of those called repentant sometimes go back to what they do. The government must be transparent about who they are and their level of involvement,” he said.
Responding to the criticism, Yusuf Ali, coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, dismissed calls for the identities of programme graduates to be made public, describing such demands as misplaced.
He maintained that no participant in the programme has been implicated in any breach of peace since the initiative began.
However, resistance remains strong among many residents and internally displaced persons in Borno and neighbouring states, with concerns centred on unresolved trauma and the perceived neglect of victims.
Critics, including retired military officers and human rights advocates, have urged the government to prioritise support for victims of insurgency before reintegrating former fighters.
While the programme is designed to encourage mass surrender and weaken insurgency through non-military measures, debate continues over its long-term effectiveness, monitoring mechanisms and acceptance within affected communities.
