Brigadier General Yusuf Ali has stated that 744 former Boko Haram insurgents who surrendered to the Nigerian government have undergone deradicalisation and reintegration programmes, making them no longer available for recruitment by terrorist groups.
He made this known during an interview with PUNCH on Sunday, May 10, 2026, where he spoke extensively on ongoing counterterrorism operations, rehabilitation efforts, and the broader strategy aimed at stabilising communities affected by insurgency in the North-East.
According to him, the reintegration of repentant fighters is a critical component of Nigeria’s multi-pronged approach to ending insurgency, which combines military pressure with non-kinetic interventions such as rehabilitation, education, and community reintegration. He explained that the process is designed to reduce the pool of individuals that extremist groups can recruit for attacks against civilians and security formations.
Ali noted that while kinetic military operations continue against active Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, the government is also focusing on those who have abandoned violence and demonstrated willingness to return to civilian life. He stressed that separating committed fighters from those who have surrendered is essential in reducing the overall threat level.
He further explained that security agencies are still actively engaging remnants of insurgent groups in various theatres of operation, adding that those identified as active terrorists are being arrested, prosecuted, and punished in accordance with the law. According to him, this dual strategy ensures both accountability and long-term peacebuilding.
Ali also highlighted that deradicalisation programmes include psychological counselling, vocational training, religious reorientation, and community reconciliation processes. He said these steps are necessary to prevent relapse into extremist ideology and to support reintegration into society.
He added that the success of the programme depends heavily on cooperation between security agencies, community leaders, religious institutions, and local governments. Without such collaboration, he warned, efforts to sustain peace could be undermined by mistrust or social rejection of former insurgents.
Speaking on the broader implications of the initiative, Ali maintained that reducing the number of individuals vulnerable to extremist recruitment is a significant achievement in the fight against terrorism. He said it weakens the operational capacity of insurgent groups by limiting their access to manpower.
He stated, “The 744 individuals who have surrendered, been deradicalised, and reintegrated are no longer available for terrorist groups to recruit for their campaign of destruction against the country.” he added.
Leave a Reply