At least thirteen (13) ex-Boko Haram fighters who were thought to have turned a new leaf and joined government forces to fight the deadly terror organization reportedly escaped, carrying government issued weapons and motorcycles with them in Borno state. The ex-fighters were part of the 160,000 ex-militants and their families who are being managed under the Borno Model, a post-conflict amnesty programme with a focus on deradicalisation, rehabilitation, reintegration and resettlement of low-risk persons previously associated with armed groups.
The “repentant” fighters have received several commendations and have been hailed as a force that has become helpful to the military. They are popularly known as “hybrid forces” formed by the military fighting insurgency in Borno State
“Together, they have conducted joint operations to locate and destroy Boko Haram weapons caches, rescue hostages, and fight the remaining jihadists.”
The reason and circumstances behind their escape is still shrouded in secrecy. The reason for their exit may have to do with the management of the Borno Model programme,” a source familiar with the workings of the programme said in confidence. “These guys were promised many things… about skill acquisition, stipends, a better life and reintegration into the society, but not many of these promises have been kept by the government.”
