Former Jihadists Join Niger Army After Rehabilitation Training

Former jihadists who abandoned militancy have officially been enlisted into Niger’s army after months of reintegration training, the country’s military authorities announced on Monday, October 13.

The junta, which took power two years ago, continues to face attacks from groups linked to Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State, particularly in the Lake Chad basin and the Tillaberi region.

According to state broadcaster RTN, 369 former fighters — including 307 men, 21 women, and 41 children — completed rehabilitation and reintegration training near Niamey, the capital.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that many of them have now joined the national army, while others received kits to help launch small businesses. RTN reported that 84 participants were given materials to start income-generating activities.

Officials described the program as part of a wider national reconciliation strategy aimed at stabilizing communities affected by extremism.

Tillaberi Governor Colonel Maina Boukar called on the public to accept the former fighters as part of the peace process, stating that they “should no longer be regarded as enemies.”

The initiative reflects Niger’s broader approach to fighting extremism through both military measures and social reintegration, as the junta seeks to restore stability and national unity.