Female Boko Haram members who have repented cry out, “Men don’t want to marry us.”

A recent report has highlighted the challenges faced by repentant female Boko Haram insurgents who have surrendered their weapons and denounced violence as they struggle to find suitable partners for marriage in the community.

The Arewa Punch publication revealed that these former insurgents are finding it hard to attract law-abiding men for marriage, with many men avoiding any romantic involvement with them.

While official records indicate a significant number of surrendered insurgents and their families, there is no specific data on the number of unmarried, divorced, or widowed women among them.

Community leaders have expressed concerns about the reluctance of men to consider marriage proposals from these women, despite some of them openly expressing their desire to find suitable partners.

One ward head in Old Maiduguri, Modu Grema Wakil, shared that these women often reach out to community leaders seeking assistance in finding spouses, highlighting the growing desperation among them.

There is a fear that if these women are unable to find suitable partners, they may be at risk of returning to violent activities, jeopardizing their commitment to renounce terrorism and embrace a peaceful life.