Several former Boko Haram commanders who surrendered under a government amnesty programme have disclosed that many ex-fighters are now returning to insurgency.
These ex-commanders, part of over 30,000 defectors profiled and absorbed by the Nigerian military as “hybrids”, said they initially embraced reintegration in good faith. One former commander, previously under the notorious Abubakar Shekau, revealed that they genuinely accepted the chance to abandon violence and rejoin society.
However, the government allegedly failed to meet critical promises, including decent housing, vocational training, and proper economic reintegration. Instead, according to him, each surrendered fighter was handed ₦100,000 and left to survive on their own.
“We surrendered, brought others out of Sambisa, and laid down our weapons. But now we live in hardship — many have gone back to Sambisa,” he told The ICIR. He added that one of his wives had returned to the forest out of desperation.
Another former commander from the ISWAP faction shared similar frustrations, recalling that some ex-fighters had productive lives, including farming, livestock, and businesses that took them as far as Dubai. He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, more former militants may rejoin terrorist groups.
These accounts raise concerns that the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration strategy is faltering, potentially reversing years of military and diplomatic efforts against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The ex-insurgents stressed that they do not expect luxury — only the basic support they were promised: shelter, skills, and a chance to rebuild. One warned, “Many of us still working with the military may soon have no option but to return. Not because we want to fight — but because survival like this is impossible.”
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