The Nigerian military has revealed that 789 former terrorist combatants are currently undergoing de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) under the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) initiative. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, disclosed this at the OPSC Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Sayo Olatunde, explained that the programme was established due to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members following coordinated military operations.
“More than 120,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered since the inception of this programme,” he said. “Currently, we have 789 ex-combatants undergoing the DRR programme, and they are expected to graduate this year.”
Reintegration Plans Underway
The military and government officials are now focusing on how to reintegrate these former insurgents back into society. The first batch of 391 rehabilitated individuals is expected to be reintegrated into their states in the coming months.
“Today’s meeting will focus on developing strategies to ensure their smooth reintegration,” Musa said. “This is crucial in achieving lasting peace and security in our country.”
Musa urged state governments to support the reintegration process by providing additional assistance to make the transition easier. He also stressed the importance of working with local and traditional authorities to ensure security and track the progress of those reintegrated.
“All stakeholders must be actively involved in this reintegration process,” he said. “Collaboration will help foster resilience and ensure that these individuals do not return to extremist activities.”
Also Read:
- Governor Soludo Denies Plan to Arrest Women Without Bras and Pants
- Edwin Clark – Fearless Voice of Niger Delta Falls Silent at 97
Over 2,000 Ex-Combatants Processed Since 2016
The Commander of Operation Safe Corridor, Yusuf Ali, provided further details on the programme’s progress. He explained that the initiative, which began in 2016, has successfully rehabilitated 2,190 former combatants, including 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
“All the foreign nationals were handed over to their respective authorities for reintegration,” Ali said.
Between July and November 2024, 825 new individuals were transferred to the DRR camp to begin training. Among them, 22 were sent to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further evaluation and medical care.
Ali emphasized that the goal of the stakeholders’ meeting was to finalize the process of transferring the rehabilitated individuals from the camp to their national and state authorities after their graduation in March.
Concerns Over Reintegration
While the government and military are optimistic about the programme, there are concerns among communities and security experts about the reintegration of former terrorists. Some critics argue that more needs to be done to prevent the return of violence, while others question the effectiveness of de-radicalisation efforts.
However, the Nigerian military remains committed to the initiative, insisting that proper reintegration is essential to achieving long-term peace.
“The successes recorded so far are a testament to the resilience and commitment of all those involved,” Musa said. “But we must remember that there is still a lot of work to be done.”
With the first batch set for reintegration soon, all eyes will be on how effectively the former combatants transition into society and whether the programme can help prevent future conflicts in the region.