Borno State says oath-taking process is part of deradicalisation programme to prevent ex-insurgents from returning to terrorism
The Borno State Government has revealed that repentant terrorists undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration into society are made to swear an oath with the Quran as part of efforts to ensure they do not return to insurgency.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this during an interview aired on News Central Television on Monday.
According to her, the oath-taking process forms a critical stage of the state’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme, popularly referred to as the “Borno Model.”
Gambo explained that after passing through different phases of counselling, rehabilitation, and reintegration, the former insurgents are required to swear with the holy Quran before being accepted back into society.
She noted that the process is taken seriously because of the religious implications attached to swearing falsely with the Quran.
“When they come to us through all the processes of the Borno model, the last thing they do is they take an oath with the Quran. Once you swear by the Quran, you know the implication,” she said.
The commissioner added that the programme is designed to reduce the likelihood of the repentant terrorists returning to violence or extremist activities.
The Borno State Government has continued to defend its rehabilitation and reintegration policy amid concerns from some Nigerians who fear that former insurgents may return to terrorism after being released back into communities.
Authorities in the state insist that the programme remains necessary to promote peace, reconciliation, and long-term stability in communities affected by insurgency in the North-East.
Source: Punch Newspapers
