Valid View Network investigations have highlighted a growing concern among female former Boko Haram insurgents who have surrendered to authorities and renounced terrorism.
As these individuals are reintegrated into society, there is an observed difficulty for the women among them to find male spouses.
Reports indicate that despite efforts to settle repentant insurgents in their home communities, these women face challenges in getting married due to apprehension from law-abiding men in society.
Community leaders have expressed serious concerns about this issue.
Official records state that a total of 162,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered, but there are no specific records detailing the number of unmarried, divorced, or widowed women among them.
Leaders from affected communities have voiced their frustrations to the media, highlighting that men are hesitant to engage in romantic relationships with these surrendered female insurgents, despite some women expressing their desire for marriage or remarriage.
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Modu Grema Wakil, a ward head in Old Maiduguri, emphasized the urgency of the situation, explaining that if these women do not find spouses, there is a fear they may revert to terrorism.
Wakil stressed the importance of facilitating marriages for these women to encourage others still in hiding to surrender and reintegrate into society.
In response to these concerns, community leaders are calling on the Borno State government to establish a database of repentant female insurgents to facilitate suitable matches and organize marriages for them.
Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, acknowledged the significance of addressing this issue to stabilize these women within society.
The state government plans to collaborate with the Maiduguri-based NGO, Allamin Foundation, to create the necessary database and address the needs of these women and girls affected by insurgency.
Efforts to directly interview these women were challenging due to fear of further stigmatization, but community leaders continue to advocate on their behalf.
Many of these women have integrated into the population, preferring to communicate their concerns through community leaders and third parties.
