The Borno State Government says it has achieved roughly 75 percent success in reintegrating former Boko Haram members and their families back into society.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, revealed this while speaking in Maiduguri on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She explained that the programme has become a key part of the state’s peace-building and recovery efforts following the mass surrender of insurgents and their relatives across the North-East.

“With all sense of modesty, and I want to be very humble about it, I think we have about 75 percent success,” she said.

Gambo noted that the surrender of thousands of former insurgents created significant humanitarian and security responsibilities for the state government. In response, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum established structures to oversee rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

She clarified that many of those who surrendered were not directly involved in fighting but served as logistics providers and support workers within insurgent camps.

“We have integrated about 8,000 or thereabout,” she said, adding that most of those arriving at rehabilitation camps were women and children dealing with trauma, health concerns, and limited exposure to formal society.

“These are women that are coming out with trauma. These are women that may be victims of gender-based violence. These are women suffering from mental health and psychosocial challenges,” she stated.

According to the commissioner, some of the children had never lived in organised communities or seen modern buildings before entering the camps.

She said one of the government’s earliest challenges was managing the large number of returnees while building trust and persuading them that life outside insurgent territories offered better opportunities.

To tackle these issues, the government deployed trained social workers and set up temporary schools, clinics, and vocational training centres to support rehabilitation. Vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, elderly persons, and people living with disabilities were separated for specialised care at interim centres.

Gambo explained that after receiving psychosocial support and rehabilitation, many individuals were reunited with their families and communities following consultations with relatives and community leaders.

However, she identified funding as one of the programme’s biggest challenges.

“It has to do with funding because you bring a lot of people on board. You have to feed them, clothe them and provide access to education,” she said.

She also rejected claims that some rehabilitated individuals later returned to insurgent groups, arguing that such groups often refuse to accept back those who previously surrendered.