The Commissioner for Information and Internal Security in Borno State, Prof. Usman Tar, has defended the state government’s decision to reintegrate a fresh batch of 720 repentant insurgents into society, stating that the beneficiaries had renounced violence and pledged to abide by the conditions set for their return.
Prof. Tar spoke during an interview with News Central TV on Saturday, 13 June, 2026, at the venue of the reintegration programme organised by the Borno State Government. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the state to promote peace, reconciliation and community recovery after more than a decade of insurgency in the North-East.
The commissioner explained that the former fighters underwent a deradicalisation and rehabilitation process before being considered for reintegration. According to him, the government’s approach is based on forgiveness, accountability and a commitment by the ex-combatants to abandon violence permanently.
“We have forgiven them and they have sworn by the Quran. We told them to abide by the terms and conditions of the Quran not to go back to any form of violence and not to give any information to the enemy,” Tar said.
His remarks come amid continuing public debate over the reintegration programme, with some victims of insurgent attacks and security analysts expressing concerns about the possibility of recidivism and the safety of affected communities.