By Miracle Ogunde
No fewer than 789 former terrorist combatants are currently undergoing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme under the Nigerian Army’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, Musa made the revelation during the OPSC Stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
He explained that the initiative was introduced in response to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, following well-coordinated operations by security forces and other key stakeholders.
“Since the inception of the programme, more than 120,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered. The 789 ex-combatants currently undergoing rehabilitation are expected to graduate before the end of the year,” Musa stated.
The Defence Chief further noted that discussions at the meeting centred on strategies for reintegrating the first batch of 391 rehabilitated individuals into their respective states.
“Today’s deliberation will focus on developing modalities to facilitate the seamless reintegration of the first of two batches, consisting of 391 clients, back into society,” he added.
Commending the efforts of all parties involved, Musa acknowledged their dedication to national security while stressing that more work remains to be done.
“The successes recorded so far underscore your resilience and commitment to duty. However, we must remain mindful that a lot still needs to be achieved, which is why this stakeholders’ meeting is crucial,” he said.
He called on state governments to support the reintegration process, urging local and traditional authorities to work together in monitoring the progress of the rehabilitated individuals.
“All stakeholders must be actively engaged in this reintegration effort to ensure lasting peace and security in our country,” he emphasised.
The Commander of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, described the initiative as a multi-agency humanitarian scheme that aligns with both Nigeria’s constitution and international laws.
“The programme, which commenced in 2016, has successfully processed 2,190 individuals, comprising 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger,” Ali stated.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, between July and November 2024, a total of 825 individuals were transferred to the DRR camp for rehabilitation. Among them were 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Additionally, 22 individuals were referred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further assessment and treatment.
The meeting also aimed to finalise plans for the smooth transition of those currently undergoing rehabilitation, with graduation scheduled for March.
Leave a Reply