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 rejoin 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 support: 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.
