ABUJA, Nigeria — Some Nigerian soldiers have expressed concerns over a policy by the Nigerian Army that involves working alongside repentant Boko Haram fighters in ongoing counterinsurgency operations across parts of Yobe State and other areas in the Northeast.
According to multiple sources quoted by SaharaReporters, the soldiers said the arrangement requires troops to share intelligence, conduct patrols, and operate in the same military camps as individuals who previously fought for the Boko Haram insurgency but have since surrendered to the government.
The policy is part of the Federal Government’s broader counterinsurgency and deradicalisation strategy, aimed at encouraging militants to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society. However, some soldiers have reportedly raised concerns over trust and security risks, citing alleged instances where former insurgents returned to the bush after being integrated into local operations.
“Some of these individuals help us identify hideouts and navigate difficult terrain,” one soldier reportedly said.
“But there have been cases where they disappeared after gaining access to sensitive information.”
The reintegration of former fighters is being implemented under what has become known as the “Borno Model,” a rehabilitation framework supported by the Nigerian Army and state governments in the Northeast. The programme provides psychosocial support, vocational training, and stipends to former combatants who voluntarily surrender.
Officials say the approach aims to reduce the strength of insurgent groups, weaken recruitment, and promote community reconciliation.
According to military sources, some of the ‘repentant’ fighters have been deployed to assist security forces in intelligence gathering at 27 Task Force Brigade, Buni Gari, Yobe State, and Sector 2 Headquarters in Damaturu, among other locations.
While authorities view the strategy as a pragmatic step towards stabilising the region, frontline soldiers have expressed unease about its potential risks and impact on morale.
“We follow orders, but some of us remain cautious,” another soldier reportedly stated. “They now live among us, receive food and allowances, and are sometimes issued motorbikes for movement.”
The rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-insurgents has remained one of the most debated aspects of Nigeria’s counterterrorism policy.
In 2024, reports indicated that 13 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members allegedly escaped from a government-run rehabilitation centre in Borno State, taking with them weapons and motorcycles provided for training purposes. That same year, the Borno State Government announced that it had successfully reintegrated 8,490 former insurgents into society through various empowerment schemes.
Government officials and security experts maintain that the programme has contributed to reducing active hostilities and encouraging defections from insurgent groups. However, critics — including some military personnel — warn that poor monitoring and inadequate vetting could undermine national security.
Analysts have urged the Federal Government and military authorities to review the operational framework guiding the participation of ‘repentant’ fighters in military activities.
They recommend a clearer distinction between community-based reintegration and frontline engagement, alongside improved transparency in how the programmes are monitored.
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official response to the recent concerns raised by soldiers.
