Repented Terrorists and the Challenges of Reintegration: The Experience of North-East Nigeria

Counter-terrorism operations in North-Eastern Nigeria have achieved appreciable success in the last ten months. Following the United States’ sale of weapons and training of Nigerian forces, counter-terrorism efforts in the volatile region were scaled up to the detriment of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters. Their jihadist attacks had been on for over a decade. However, in a twist of fate, a supremacy battle between Boko Haram and its breakaway ISWAP faction resulted in the killing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau on May 19, 2021. The re-invigoration of Nigerian forces coupled with the killing of Shekau and the violent pressure on the remaining Boko Haram terrorists to join ISWAP had led to two related developments. First, the targeting of Shekau\’s loyalists had forced many of them to flee to the North-West, leading to an escalation of banditry in the area. Second, it has led many Boko Haram and even moderate ISWAP terrorists and their families to surrender to the Nigerian armed forces.

According to the Defence Headquarters, terrorists and their families have surrendered to government forces alone in the last seven months. The repentant terrorists\’ appeal to be given a second chance and their former victims\’ resentment of the proposal have triggered a heated debate on whether or not the former terrorists should be allowed to return to their communities. Nextier SPD Policy Weekly edition examines how best to rehabilitate and reintegrate former violent non-state fighters in the North-East.

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