Soldiers Wary of Working With Reintegrated Boko Haram Fighters — Report

Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram in the northeast have pushed back against a fresh push by Borno State authorities to involve recently reintegrated former insurgents in military operations, according to SaharaReporters.

Serving military personnel told sources that the directive has sparked significant unease in frontline units. Many fear that closer collaboration with the so-called repentant fighters could compromise ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

According to the soldiers, some former Boko Haram members who recently completed the state’s deradicalisation programme have been attached to local security groups supporting troops in Borno. One soldier described the move as an attempt to showcase the rehabilitation initiative’s success.

“The government wants to prove that the reintegration programme is working, so some of these ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members are being attached to security groups that work with troops in operations,” the soldier said.

“But many of us are uncomfortable with the arrangement because there have been cases in the past where information leaked and operations were compromised. Trust is a major issue.”

Another source said troops have kept some former insurgents in separate accommodations due to lingering suspicions of ties to active terrorist cells. “We don’t trust them completely. There have been too many incidents in the past,” the source added, pointing to attacks on commanders as evidence of possible leaks.

The concerns surfaced just weeks after Borno State reintegrated 720 former insurgents, along with 992 spouses and 2,050 children, under its “Borno Model” programme. Officials say more than 350,000 people have surrendered since the initiative launched in 2021, with nearly 10,000 reintegrated across batches after undergoing vocational training, counselling and reorientation.

Retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, has defended the programme as a key non-kinetic approach based on forgiveness and community acceptance.

Troops, however, argue that authorities should prioritise better equipment, intelligence support and welfare for soldiers instead of forcing collaboration with former fighters.

The Nigerian Army has not responded to requests for comment on the soldiers’ allegations.

The deradicalisation effort remains controversial, with critics questioning the sincerity of participants and the adequacy of safeguards against recidivism.