117 repentant terrorists complete rehabilitation programme in Borno.
No fewer than 117 repentant terrorists from Borno State have successfully completed the federal government’s Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, showcasing progress in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insurgency through non-kinetic interventions. The graduation was announced during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Defence Headquarters at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, where officials also finalised arrangements for transferring the rehabilitated individuals to relevant national and state authorities for reintegration into society.
The programme, conducted at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Borno, aims to help former combatants abandon violent extremism and prepare them for peaceful life in their communities. The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Y. Ali, said the successful completion by the 117 participants reflects strengthened cooperation between federal and state authorities in areas such as reception, monitoring and community reintegration. He also noted that the initiative is being expanded to the North West region, where a DRR camp established last year is contributing to stabilisation efforts, and that the Benue State Government has formally requested a DRR facility to support rehabilitation in the North Central zone.
Maj. General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, stated that the meeting drew representatives from federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, state governments and neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, as well as international partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, emphasised during the session that while military operations are critical to degrading insurgent capabilities, structured rehabilitation and reintegration are essential to sustaining security gains and preventing relapse into violence.
Operation Safe Corridor, launched in 2016, is Nigeria’s flagship initiative for addressing violent extremism and insurgency by combining deradicalisation, psychological support, vocational training and community reintegration. The reported graduation of the 117 repentant terrorists is expected to enhance ongoing peacebuilding efforts and contribute to long-term stability in regions affected by extremism.
About the Author
