The Borno State Government has revealed that repentant terrorists undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration are required to swear an oath with the Quran as part of the final stage of the deradicalisation process.
A government official disclosed that the oath-taking forms a key aspect of the “Borno Model” designed to reform and reintegrate former insurgents back into society.
Speaking on the process, the official said the ex-fighters pass through several stages of rehabilitation before taking the final oath on the Holy 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.
According to the official, the measure is aimed at ensuring commitment, accountability, and peaceful conduct from the rehabilitated individuals after returning to their communities.
The Borno Model has remained one of the state government’s major strategies in addressing insurgency, focusing on deradicalisation, reconciliation, and community reintegration of former Boko Haram and ISWAP members.
The programme, however, has continued to generate mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting rehabilitation efforts while others express concerns over security risks and justice for victims of terrorism.
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