According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, the Commissioner, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, has stated that fears about repentant terrorists returning to insurgency may be overstated, noting that such individuals face grave risks if they attempt to rejoin extremist groups.
She made this assertion during an interview on News Central Television, as reported by Vanguard Newspaper, while addressing public concerns about the effectiveness of the state’s deradicalization and reintegration programme, popularly known as the Borno model.
Highlighting the dangers awaiting defectors who consider returning to the battlefield, Gambo said, “People assume that they will go back to the bush; well, they may, but they are dead on arrival. So, it is not even about whether they have been certified or we trust them or not. The law of the jungle takes care of that. The moment you step out, and you surrender to the constituted authority, you become an infidel.”
Her comments underscore a key argument by the Borno State government that insurgent groups often treat defectors as traitors, making reintegration a more viable option for those who surrender. Officials say this reality acts as a deterrent against recidivism among rehabilitated individuals…See More
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