Zulum's 'Borno Model' reduces terror attacks by 90% - Official

Retired Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Security, says attacks by insurgents in many parts of the state have been reduced by 90 per cent.

Ishaq said the reduction was based on the non-kinetic approach introduced by the Zulum administration known as the “Borno Model”, which led to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

He made the revelation in his presentation, titled “The Impact of Borno Model in the Fight against Terrorists in Borno”, at a public lecture organised by the University of Maiduguri.

“The Borno Model simply means the use of dialogue to persuade Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters to lay down their arms to troops at the various reception centres and embrace peace.

“This is a community-driven initiative geared towards a win-win situation; both parties stand to gain from the model,” Ishaq said.

He explained that the Borno model started about two years ago and had led to the surrender of over 100,000 insurgents, including farmers, women and children under their captivity.

“Some Chibok girls were also rescued within the period.”

According to him, since the programme started, attacks on troops and abduction of travellers in many areas, particularly along the Maiduguri – Damaturu and the Maiduguri – Monguno roads, have reduced drastically, while many farmers now have access to their farmlands.

Ishaq said the Borno model has continued to gain international recognition leading to the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for United Nations support in managing the mass defection.

“It has gained international recognition as one of the most effective non-kinetic actions in recent times.

“Recently, Gov. Zulum was in UN House, Abuja, to sign a joint memorandum of understanding for UN support in managing the mass defection of terrorists,” Ishaq said.

According to him, the model, which aligned with the UN Framework on handling persons exiting terrorist organisations, was tailored towards Disarmament, Demobilisation, De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Reintegration (DDDRRR).

He said that so far 6,900 low-risk repentants and minors have been reintegrated into their communities after undergoing the necessary processes of DDDRRR.

Ishaq said the reintegration was successful as it was community-driven.

“There’s no case of rejection of any person from communities because the process is community driven.

“Community representatives participate in screening and recommending those to be reintegrated back into their communities.

“The communities also transport them,” Ishaq said.

He noted that the military and DSS were always at hand to ensure that those reintegrated were not on the list of those declared wanted by authorities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Recovery and Peace Building Assessment Report (RPBA) co-authored by the World Bank and other stakeholders on the insurgency indicated thousands of lives lost and six billion dollars worth of destruction recorded in Borno.