NewStats: 3,263,869 , 8,181,674 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 12:21 PM 2h6t

Back to the trenches: Ex-Boko Haram commanders, others reveal terrorists brutal comeback in North-East

Multiple former commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, who surrendered under a government amnesty initiative, have revealed that a growing number of ex-fighters are returning to the trenches.

These ex-commanders, drawn from over 30,000 fighters who defected, were profiled by the Nigerian military and engaged as hybrids

One former commander, who once served under Abubakar Shekau, disclosed that the group’s leadership had genuinely embraced the opportunity to surrender and reintegrate into society.

However, the government allegedly failed to honour key commitments, such as the provision of decent housing, skills acquisition training and economic reintegration programs.

Instead, according to him, each surrendering fighter received only ₦100,000 cash and then was left to fend for themselves.

“We laid down our arms, submitted ourselves, brought out others from Sambisa. But now we live in hardship — many have returned to Sambisa,” he told the ICIR.

One of his wives, he added, had even run back to the forest due to extreme poverty.

Another ex-commander from the ISWAP faction echoed similar regrets, stating, “We farmed, we had livestock, and some of us even had thriving businesses that took us to countries like Dubai.”

He warned that unless the government takes urgent action, more defectors may re terrorist ranks.

The revelations suggest that the federal government’s deradicalization and reintegration program may be failing, threatening to undo years of military and diplomatic gains in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.

The former insurgents say they do not seek luxury, but simply want the promised : shelter, skills, and means to rebuild their lives. Their appeal is for the Nigerian government to uphold its end of the deal — before it’s too late.

“The danger is that many of us who are still assisting the military may soon be left with no choice but to return — not because we want to fight, but because we cannot survive like this,” one warned.

https://www.icirnigeria.org/back-to-the-trenches-ex-boko-haram-commanders-others-reveal-terrorists-brutal-comeback-in-north-east/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKxbO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHv8oWOzCnxteLQlkMkq2YF6WrJolpLBIxvKlSqxqYccQq3IlF7-LKKFONj_2_aem_Kt6xZTQsQk_m-HmeCwNexw

Is boko haram fighting for jihad or restructuring. I am confused.

If they ve been killed den, will dey return to sambisa?? No place in d world they dey forgive terrorist

Shoot at sight on any terrorist

A leopard can never change its skin. It's in Nigeria that terrorists are granted amnesty and expected to have fully repented.

Ironfaceman:
Is boko haram fighting for jihad or restructuring. I am confused.

...thanks to our govt that keeps recycling them....Relax....you will soon find out.

I wanted to say “the leopard never changes its spot” but the details revealed it’s a different case.

The government cannot take them out of the bushes where they were commanders and possibly earning millions in ransom money, and promise them house, skill and feeding and then fail to do those things.

You can’t be trying to cure someone of addiction without replacing the bad habit with something good. He will relapse.

Nature abhors vacuum.

I’m so very against accepting that terrorists have “repented”, but the ones that have genuinely repented and are even assisting the military with intelligence should be given whatever they were promised.

The 226million naira they are using to build one streetlight is enough to erect about 100 units of a room and parlour house for them.

Government should stop behaving like untrustworthy criminals.

Lmaooo. Of course, a terrorist can never be reformed. Let them go back, USAID is dead, Arab countries who sponsor them are being careful now because everyone is watching. The hunger they will experience now. In fact, it will be worse than famine.

I don't trust them still.

They were never repentant in the first place they were forcefully tagged repentant by the government to set them free, this is likened to a cheating wife caught in the act, was forgiven and returned back.

Next she start murmuring and lamenting how she's better of a cheat/prostitute because one dic--k is not enough, how more dic--k is better.

WARNING!! Don not make a born again out of a cheat, do not make repentant out of a criminal!!
All has a prize to pay and must pay the prize!!

Anyone with discerning mind can see clearly that North is the problem of North.. the idle hand they say is the devil's workshop.
The Northern elites neglected their masses, didn't do anything to stop almajiri and street begging, did nothing to ensure Northern youths (masses) were gainfully employed.. Now the mess has blown up in their faces.

It's not by wearing starched babariga or dragging power as if it's you people's birthright.. focus on your people, make efforts to lift them out of multi-dimensional poverty and terrorism will fizzle out with time.

Crazy!

Wish them all the best

Nigeria army is a terrorist organization

Let the useless Nigerian army and government under this godforsaken duncehead continue to recycle them as repentant terrorists while seperatists agitating for a fair state are termed terrorists. Una head go correct last last.

One former commander, who once served under Abubakar Shekau, disclosed that the group’s leadership had genuinely embraced the opportunity to surrender and reintegrate into society.

However, the government allegedly failed to honour key commitments, such as the provision of decent housing, skills acquisition training and economic reintegration programs.

Instead, according to him, each surrendering fighter received only ₦100,000 cash and then was left to fend for themselves.

Why should govt give them decent housing, skills acquisition training and economic reintegration programs? Anyone who can afford arms and ammunitions does not need money, let alone from a borrowing govt. They should have noticed how govt muffled news of Hajj and Salah subsidies this year, and realised things arent the way they used to be.
Just yesterday we saw a chart of Anchor Borrower Scheme to the north. They should as farmers and stop dreaming of cancelling out the amnesty ND boys got.

flokii:
Anyone with discerning mind can see clearly that North is the problem of North.. the idle hand they say is the devil's workshop.
The Northern elites neglected their masses, didn't do anything to stop almajiri and street begging, did nothing to ensure Northern youths (masses) were gainfully employed.. Now the mess has blown up in their faces.

It's not by wearing starched babariga or dragging power as if it's you people's birthright.. focus on your people, make efforts to lift them out of multi-dimensional poverty and terrorism will fizzle out with time.

There is no poverty in the north. They skipped the least meals in the chart shared two days ago. Have funds to build mosques, do hajj, and festivities.
They just want their own amnesty by all means. It is already happening because we heard how army is building amenities for killer bandits. Let them go back to sambisa if thats what will make Tinubu give them what they desire.

If he no go back, how those people wey dey Abuja go make money?

Peakdesign23:
I don't trust them still.

I love you so much.

Nigeria,a nation that shot itself on the foot!.....just to be politically right.

muyico:
If they ve been killed den, will dey return to sambisa?? No place in d world they dey forgive terrorist

except in Nigeria...

Lol

I don’t understand Nigeria anymore.. how can you repent a terrrorist? Any one caught here in the states! guilty of domestic or foreign terrorism. is going down the hole till God call ham home!

Janj@weed and recycling of terrorists..

Of course, only a pretender or idiot will think someone who have killed and seen millions will resign to a normal life of penury...it is ridiculous.

No other country in the world releases terrorists only Nigeria.

K

Really

Let them keep deceiving themselves.

Nothing like repentant terrorists, people don't repent from ideology, and it's inbuilt.

This is the only reason our military personnels will never defeat terrorism, and it's purely government business to steal real money.


Useless and terrible politicians, including our Military Chiefs

Am not surprised

can terrorists really repent?