Communities in Nigeria’s northeast, especially Borno state, are wrestling with whether former Boko Haram fighters can truly return and be accepted. The federal government plans to reintegrate more than 700 ex-fighters under its deradicalization program, Operation Safe Corridor, which officials say is essential to ending a decade-long insurgency. But in areas that have suffered sustained extremist violence, the policy is reopening fresh wounds.
Launched in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor offers screening, deradicalization, psychological counselling and vocational training to fighters who surrender. Authorities say the program encourages defections and reduces recruitment; more than 2,000 people have gone through it and only those assessed as “low risk” are released. Usman Tar, a former Borno commissioner for information and internal security, said returnees are screened by the Department of State Services and community leaders. Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq, special assistant on security to the Borno government, told local media the scheme has not generated negative reports and that previous returnees were accepted by communities.
Despite official assurances, acceptance on the ground remains limited. In Borno, residents told DW the prospect of living near people who once attacked them is deeply unsettling. Muhammad Sharif suggested relocated reintegration so former fighters are not placed back among the communities they harmed: “If you forgive somebody and you want to integrate him, take him to another local government where the offended people will not see that person at their midst. They will not bring us peace.”
Many remain traumatised by recent attacks in Maiduguri — including strikes on a Monday market, a post office and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital — and see reintegration as premature. Abraham Philip said communities still suffer destruction alongside any signs of peace and worry that some incidents are linked to reintegration efforts. “A lot of things have been happening. There are some people saying these are the results of the reintegration that has been taking place,” he said.
Scepticism also centers on whether surrendered fighters have truly changed. Maiduguri resident Usman Abubakar called the program a sound idea in principle but cautioned that promises unfulfilled have led some repentant fighters to threaten returning to the bushes. “That is why I don’t want to call them repentant. I want to call them surrendered because you cannot see their mind,” he said. In Abuja, civil servant Hauwa Ajeje warned of a vicious cycle: “We’ll be recycling the same individuals.” A student, Raphael Ogbaji, countered that people can change and deserved a chance if they choose peace.
The reintegration debate raises questions of justice for victims, too. Lawyer Ahmed Abubakar said many affected by Boko Haram have received no restitution: displaced people remain in camps and some victims have lost homes without compensation. He criticised the lack of clarity from authorities about who is being reintegrated and the extent of their involvement in violence, even as international law allows reintegration programs.
The government argues that Operation Safe Corridor is a pragmatic tool to weaken the insurgency and reintegrate low-risk individuals. But in communities still healing from attacks, the cost of reintegration in terms of trust and perceived justice remains a bitter and unresolved issue.
Contributions from Ben Shemang in Nigeria and Adwoa Tenkorama Domena
Edited by Cai Nebe