The Borno State Government has allayed fears that former terrorists who complete its rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme could return to violence.
The state government assured that one of the central pillars of the “Borno Model” is the requirement for participants to take a solemn oath with the Holy Quran before being reintegrated into society.
According to the government, the religious oath carries sufficient spiritual and cultural weight to deter the repentant terrorists from taking up arms.
In an interview with News Central Television on Monday, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, explained the significance of the oath in the reintegration process.
“When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is take an oath with the Quran.
“Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” Gambo said.
She added that any move by these individuals to return to the bush would have severe consequences for them.
“People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival.
“The moment you step out and surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel. The law of the jungle takes care of that,” she added.
While expressing confidence in the programme’s religious “safeguard”, the Commissioner acknowledged significant operational challenges, particularly funding of the initiative.
“The challenge, of course, has to do with funding. You bring a lot of people on board, but how are you going to feed them, clothe them, and provide them with necessary access to education?” she queried.
