Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
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“ _Borno Homegrown Model”_ is proving to be a powerful tool in weakening Boko Haram’s influence and curbing violent extremism in the state, according to Retired Brigadier-General Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Summit on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) in Abuja on Saturday, Ishaq highlighted the effectiveness of the model, which integrates disarmament, demobilisation, and de-radicalisation with community-led counter-narratives.
> “Most of these fighters were misled by ideology. We are countering that using Islamic scholars, mothers and even repentant fighters themselves,” he explained.
Ishaq described how emotional appeals rooted in family values have made an impact.
> “For example, when we tell them the paradise of a child lies at the footstep of the mother, many who abandoned their mothers for 15 years are shaken. It compels them to reconsider their path.”
He further revealed that testimonies from former Boko Haram militants have exposed the futility of the group’s cause.
> “We discovered something striking — when a Boko Haram fighter dies, within two hours the body turns black, decomposes and produces offensive odour. Those who surrendered describe it as azaba (punishment) from God. This revelation alone has convinced many to abandon the group.”
Under the programme, over 300,000 fighters and their family members have laid down arms, with most being reintegrated into farming and small-scale businesses following vocational training.
Addressing concerns about returnees resuming insurgency, Ishaq dismissed the fears as exaggerated.
> “Once they surrender, they swear on the Holy Qur’an never to return. Those who attempted going back were either killed or brought back with intelligence. The idea of mass return to the bush is not true.”
However, he acknowledged that some insurgency leaders remain entrenched due to what he termed a “war economy” and foreign interests.
> “Some people profit from supplying fuel, food and other items to terrorists. Internationally, there are actors who don’t want this war to end. That is why asymmetric warfare is complicated.”
Ishaq urged communities to continue providing intelligence to security agencies, cautioning that leaks only endanger civilians.
He also emphasized the critical role of families in persuading fighters to abandon violence.
> “In some cases, mothers told their sons to return home before the end of Ramadan or face the consequences. Those who disobeyed died in battle. We use such examples as powerful lessons.”
The “ _Borno Homegrown Model”_ is a community-based initiative launched by the Borno State government in 2021 to tackle the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency.
The initiative employs dialogue and media campaigns to encourage militants and their families to surrender peacefully, leading to the defection of over 300,000 individuals, including combatants and non-combatants.
NAN
