A review of budget records in Borno State shows that about ₦7.7 billion has been spent on the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members over a 21-month period, despite continued insurgent attacks.
The 2025 budget performance report indicates that ₦4.3 billion was allocated to livelihood support for former fighters within the year alone, with ₦1.6 billion spent between October and December. This follows an earlier ₦3.45 billion disbursed between January and September 2024 under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme.
The spending comes amid renewed violence in the state. Multiple explosions in Maiduguri on March 16 left at least 23 people dead and 108 others injured, according to the Borno State Police Command.
Police spokesperson Nahum Daso said the blasts, believed to have been carried out by suicide bombers, occurred at key locations including the Monday Market and near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Security agencies, including the military and emergency responders such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were deployed to manage the aftermath and assist victims.
Meanwhile, some security personnel have raised concerns that the reintegration programme may be compromising operations, alleging that certain former fighters leak sensitive information to insurgents.
Governor Babagana Zulum has also warned that insurgents are regrouping in parts of the Lake Chad region and the Sambisa Forest, calling for increased military support, including drones and attack helicopters.
The situation continues to spark debate over the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts amid ongoing security challenges in the Northeast.