Nigeria integrates 2,000 ex-militants in epicenter of Boko Haram crisis
Authorities in Nigeria’s Borno state said 2,000 former combatants have completed social integration in the northeast state worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Zuwaira Gambo, commissioner for women affairs and social development in the state, told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital on Wednesday that many of the ex-combatants, who were trained on various skills, were discovered to be innocent civilians picked up during mass arrests by security agencies.
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The official, who said the waging of war against insurgents has been on the front burner of the state administration, added that a total of 2,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and reunited with their families to practice skills learnt over the years and live life as responsible citizens.
“Therefore de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reunification of former insurgents have received great attention through the provision of adequate food, shelter and psycho-social support to former members of the dreaded sect at the Bulumkutu rehabilitation center,” she said.
Since 2009 when Boko Haram launched its first attack in Nigeria, the terrorist sect has remained a significant security and economic threat to the countries of the Lake Chad region.
