Return to Terror Groups Carries Death Risk: Borno Warns Rehabilitated Ex-Insurgents

The Borno State Government has issued a stark warning to rehabilitated former insurgents: returning to terrorist groups is not only a betrayal of the rehabilitation process but a death sentence. According to officials, once a fighter surrenders and undergoes the state’s deradicalisation programme, they are permanently marked as outsiders—and potential targets—by their former comrades.

The Warning: ‘Dead on Arrival’

During an interview on News Central on Monday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, addressed growing public concern over the reintegration of ex-fighters. She stated unequivocally, People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival. This blunt assessment underscores the irreversible nature of the decision to leave a terrorist group.

Why Returning Is Not an Option

Gambo explained that the moment a fighter surrenders to constituted authority, they are branded an infidel by insurgent groups. It is not even about whether they have been certified or we trust them or not. The law of the jungle takes care of that, she said. This dynamic creates a powerful deterrent: the rehabilitation process itself severs all ties to the terrorist network, making return not just dangerous but fatal.

This is a critical point for understanding the programme’s effectiveness. Unlike voluntary exit from a criminal gang, where re-entry might be possible, insurgent groups operate under a strict ideological code. Surrender is seen as apostasy, and apostates are often executed. Thus, the state’s warning is not merely a threat but a reflection of the brutal reality on the ground.

The Deradicalisation Programme: A Multi-Layered Approach

The Borno State Government’s deradicalisation programme is not a simple amnesty. It involves a comprehensive process designed to break the psychological and ideological hold of terrorism.

Quranic Oath-Taking: A Sacred Deterrent

A key component is the administration of a Quranic oath. Gambo emphasised, Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication. For many former fighters, this is not a mere formality. In a region where religious identity is deeply intertwined with daily life, swearing on the Quran carries profound spiritual and social consequences. It is a public renunciation of violence and a commitment to peace, with the belief that breaking such an oath invites divine punishment. This adds a layer of moral and religious accountability that purely secular programmes may lack.

Rehabilitation Beyond Ideology

The programme also includes education, vocational training, and psychological counselling. The goal is to equip former insurgents with the skills and mindset needed to reintegrate into civilian life. However, as Gambo admitted, funding remains a major challenge: You bring many people in, but how do you feed them, clothe them, and provide education? Funding is a big issue.

This funding gap has real-world consequences. Without adequate resources, rehabilitation centres may struggle to provide consistent meals, quality education, or meaningful vocational training. This can lead to idleness, frustration, and, in worst-case scenarios, recidivism. The state is therefore walking a tightrope between the moral imperative to rehabilitate and the practical limitations of its budget.

Practical Implications for Reintegration

For the ex-insurgents, the path forward is narrow but clear. They must fully commit to the rehabilitation process, understanding that there is no going back. For the community, the challenge is one of trust and acceptance. Many locals remain deeply traumatised by years of violence and are understandably wary of welcoming former fighters back into their midst.

To address this, the Borno State Government has also launched community sensitisation campaigns. These aim to explain the rehabilitation process and the irreversible break with terrorist groups, thereby reducing stigma and fostering a more welcoming environment. However, progress is slow, and incidents of community rejection still occur.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Gamble

The Borno State Government’s approach is a high-stakes gamble. By making the return to terror groups effectively impossible, it forces former insurgents to choose between a new life and certain death. The success of this strategy hinges on two factors: the credibility of the warning (which is backed by the brutal logic of insurgent groups) and the quality of the rehabilitation programme (which is currently hampered by funding constraints).

For now, the message is clear: surrender is a one-way door. As Gambo put it, They are dead on arrival if they try to go back. The only viable path forward is the one laid out by the state—a path of education, reintegration, and peace.

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