Boko Haram: 156 former insurgents declare allegiance to Nigeria

No fewer than 156 repentant and surrendered members of the Boko Haram on Wednesday swore allegiance to the Nigerian government after undergoing a De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, coded Operation Safe Corridor.

The repentant insurgents took the oath of allegiance before Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi of the Federal High Court, Gombe at the DDR rehabilitation camp in Gombe.

The former Boko Haram members dropped their weapons and surrendered to the Nigerian Army, after which they were enlisted into the de-radicalisation programme of the federal government.

The Commandant of the DDR camp, Colonel Gurama Martins, said majority of the repentant members of the sect were victims of circumstances who were forced into the war.

He said after spending 11 months at the DDR camp, the army was satisfied that the ex-fighters were transformed and ready to be integrated back into the society in their respective states.