What's driving young Nigerians into the arms of extremists? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Islamist insurgency in Northern Nigeria
• Boko Haram and Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP)
• Rehabilitation and Reintegration programs for former militants
• Amnesty deals offered by the Nigerian government
• Socioeconomic challenges: poverty, food insecurity, unemployment
• Victim-centered approach vs. Insurgent-focused approach
• Legal framework for dealing with former militants
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
• Community resilience

Insecurity and Displacement:

• The Islamist insurgency in northern Nigeria is a primary driver of displacement.
• Armed Islamist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, have increased attacks in 2025.
• Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission reports more deaths in the first half of 2025 than in all of 2024 due to insurgents and bandits.

Case Study: Borno State

• Borno State is the heartland of the insurgency, with Boko Haram and ISWAP being active.
• Ali (pseudonym), a former ISWAP commander, is considering rejoining due to unfulfilled government promises of jobs and support.
• "The government promised us jobs. That was the agreement. I don't have anything. No food, no job. When we go back, we are going to attack, fight a war so we can eat and feed our families." - Ali
• Resurgence of attacks has led to fear and insecurity among civilians.
• A suicide bombing in Maiduguri killed at least 12 people, suspected to be carried out by Boko Haram or ISWAP.
• Moduat, a farmer, lost a leg in a roadside bomb attack.
• "I'm scared. Eight people were killed that day. The military is not doing enough. Everyone was relaxed because it had been peaceful. But that was negligence. The military wasn't pursuing the militants. That's why they're strong again." - Moduat

Government Reintegration Programs:

• The Nigerian government offers amnesty deals to reintegrate militants into society.
• Borno State commissioner acknowledges imperfections in the reintegration program.
• The program struggles to balance the needs of former insurgents with the needs of victims.
• "Reintegration is working is work in progress. It's not everything that you know former insurgents wants that will be given to them. We have the victims to deal with. If we over resource the insurgents, the victims will say, 'Okay, what about us?'" - Borno State Commissioner

Expert Perspective: Dr. Fatima Akilu (NE Foundation)

• Dr. Akilu led Nigeria's first national countering violent extremism program.
• The story of Ali highlights the complexity of rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Nigeria is attempting to reintegrate approximately 100,000 insurgents, their families, and victims.
• This is a significant challenge given the country's socioeconomic issues, including poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment.
• Reintegration programs have gaps, particularly in reinsertion into communities.
• Programs are not sufficiently victim-centered, focusing primarily on insurgents.
• There is a lack of a proper legal framework to guide the program.
• Some individuals who have committed atrocities are reintegrated without facing legal consequences.
• Amnesty is a contentious issue in Nigeria due to a lack of understanding of its elements and the absence of justice for perpetrators.
• Dr. Akilu suggests that those who have committed egregious actions should face the full weight of the law.
• Low-level offenders and victims forced to fight should be offered forgiveness or healing.

Arguments and Perspectives:

• Ali's perspective: Frustration with the lack of government support is driving him back to militancy.
• Victims' perspective: Fear of renewed attacks and dissatisfaction with the focus on reintegrating insurgents over supporting victims.
• Government perspective: Reintegration is a work in progress, but resources are limited, and balancing the needs of insurgents and victims is challenging.
• Expert perspective (Dr. Akilu): Reintegration programs need to be more victim-centered, have a clear legal framework, and address the root causes of extremism, such as poverty and lack of opportunity.

Data and Statistics:

• More people were killed in the first half of 2025 than in all of 2024 due to insurgency and banditry.
• Nigeria is attempting to reintegrate approximately 100,000 insurgents, their families, and victims.

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Boko Haram: A militant Islamist group operating primarily in northeastern Nigeria.
• ISWAP (Islamic State's West Africa Province): A splinter group of Boko Haram affiliated with the Islamic State.
• Rehabilitation: The process of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.
• Reintegration: The process of re-entering society after a period of absence or marginalization.
• Amnesty: An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Proactive actions to counteract efforts by extremists to recruit, radicalize, and mobilize followers to violence.

Logical Connections:

• The insecurity caused by Islamist insurgency leads to displacement and violence.
• Failed reintegration programs, due to lack of support and focus on victims, can lead former militants to rejoin extremist groups.
• Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, contribute to the appeal of extremist groups.
• A lack of a legal framework and inconsistent application of justice undermine the effectiveness of reintegration efforts.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The report highlights the complex challenges of addressing the Islamist insurgency in northern Nigeria. While government reintegration programs aim to rehabilitate former militants, they are hampered by a lack of resources, a focus on insurgents over victims, and the absence of a clear legal framework. Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, exacerbate the problem, making individuals vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. A more comprehensive approach is needed that addresses the root causes of extremism, prioritizes the needs of victims, and ensures accountability for those who have committed atrocities.