700 ‘Repentant’ Terrorist To Rejoin Communities After Rehabilitation

By Editor Drealomalicha Emmanuella

More than 700 former insurgents are set to return to civilian life after completing a deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme under the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative.

The development was disclosed by the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists, Brigadier-General Ali said the programme remains widely misunderstood by many Nigerians, despite its structured approach to counter-terrorism and peacebuilding. He explained that Operation Safe Corridor is designed not only to disengage individuals from extremist ideologies but also to equip them with skills and support systems needed to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.

“The goal is to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency,” he said, noting that rehabilitation goes beyond ideology to include psychological support, education, and vocational training.

During the tour, some of the participants—referred to as clients—shared personal accounts of how they became involved in insurgent activities, offering a glimpse into the complex circumstances that led to their radicalisation. Their testimonies, officials say, form part of efforts to promote understanding and reconciliation as they prepare to rejoin society.

The visit comes ahead of the planned graduation ceremony for over 700 participants who have completed the programme and are due for reintegration into their respective communities.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that graduates of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into the armed forces, describing such reports as unfounded.

For many of the participants, the transition marks a significant turning point—from lives shaped by conflict to a chance at redemption, acceptance, and a fresh start. However, their reintegration also raises broader questions about community readiness, trust, and the long-term path to lasting peace in regions scarred by years of violence.