By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
(Kaduna) – They thought trained terrorists could be “recycled” to serve as guardians of Nigeria’s fragile democracy, but that theory may be headed for the recycling bin itself.
In a dramatic event that raises questions about the efficacy of the Nigerian government’s deradicalization program, thirteen former Boko Haram fighters, who had previously repented and surrendered to the government have escaped with rifles and motorcycles provided by the Borno State government.
The escapees were part of a group of “repentant” fighters who had been integrated into the military’s operations against active insurgents. Their escape not only represents a loss of valuable intelligence assets but also poses a significant security threat, as these individuals are now armed and potentially reuniting with terrorist factions.
According to Malik Samuel, a senior researcher with Good Governance Africa, the thirteen terrorists escape happened in two waves –
on September 1st and 2nd from a camp in Mafa, Borno State. “Eight ex-fighters first escaped from the camp on 1 September before five others followed suit the next day,” Samuel explained. The situation escalated when the escapees reportedly called Abdullahi Ishaq, a special adviser to the government on security matters, threatening further violence.
This incident sheds light on the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s Borno Model, a post-conflict amnesty program focused on de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former insurgents. The program, which has processed more than 160,000 surrendered Boko Haram members and their families, according to the Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, is now under scrutiny.
Sources familiar with the program, a DDR (disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation) specialist speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that nearly 6,000 combatants are currently awaiting “transitional justice.” They highlighted that unfulfilled promises may have contributed to the recent escape. “These guys were promised many things about skill acquisition, stipends, a better life and reintegration into society, but not many of these promises have been kept by the government,” one source explained.
The escaped fighters are believed to have joined Darul Gazuwa, a renegade Boko Haram faction led by a senior commander known as Alhai Kale. This group is known to terrorize villages around Bama, Konduga, Mafa, and Dikwa, specializing in kidnapping-for-ransom and highway robbery.
Air Commodore Abdullahi Usman Rtd, a DDR (disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation) specialist told Truth Nigeria it is almost impossible to de-radicalize Boko Haram fighters. “It is funny that the federal government of Nigeria will think people who have shed blood, raped women, and burned houses can be de radicalized.
“These are men who have nothing to lose. Fighting a religious war. With many of them already brainwashed to thinking education and any form of civilization is ‘haram’ (a sin).
“Again, there is this insincere attitude of the government, particularly under Buhari, who started the idea of de-radicalizing these terrorists,” Usman said.
Commodore Usman went further to criticise attempts by some elites, particularly in the North who compare activities of Boko Haram with militancy elsewhere..
Boko Haram terrorists are on a religious campaign, a Jihad (religious war) to Islamize Nigeria and are against Western education and any form of civilization, he told TruthNigeria.
“The approach is wrong. These terrorists should be put down not granted amnesty”. Usman Said
Boko Haram, an Islamic terror organization with links to Islamic State has killed at least 350,000 people since it launched a terror campaign in the northeast in 2009 according to a UN report.
Dr. Emmanuel Gwoza, a retired civil servant from Gwoza, Borno state, now based in Canada, offered a scathing critique of the deradicalization efforts. Speaking to TruthNigeria, he stated, “The entire idea of deradicalization is a mirage that will never yield any positive results. Boko Haram is an ideology and to defeat it, you need a superior ideology carefully crafted and implemented in the so-called repentant members. This is not what we see happening, instead they arrest these terrorists who have committed crimes against humanity, keep them for a few months and then reintegrate them into society. That is a joke as far as common sense is concerned. Not even the U.S does that to Al-Qaeda members.”
Gwoza’s comments highlight the complexity of dealing with ideologically driven insurgencies and the challenges faced by governments in finding effective solutions. The escape of these ex-fighters underscores the delicate balance between offering amnesty and ensuring public safety.
For American audiences, this incident provides insight into the ongoing struggles faced by Nigeria, a key U.S. ally in Africa, in its fight against terrorism. The situation mirrors challenges faced by other nations, including the United States, in dealing with former combatants and highlights the global nature of counterterrorism efforts.
The escape also raises questions about the efficacy of international support for Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations. With the United States and other Western nations providing military aid and training to Nigeria, incidents such as this may prompt a reassessment of these programs and their long-term impact on regional stability.
As Nigeria grapples with this setback, the international community watches closely. The success or failure of programs like the Borno Model could have far-reaching implications for counterinsurgency strategies worldwide. For now, the escape of these ex-fighters serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in rehabilitating former terrorists and the ongoing challenges in the fight against extremism in West Africa.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for Truth Nigeria.
