789 Ex-terrorists Undergoing De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, announced that approximately 789 former terrorist combatants are currently undergoing de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration through the Operation Safe Corridor initiative.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, Musa shared this update during the OPSC Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
He explained that the programme was launched in response to the large-scale surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, a result of coordinated efforts by security stakeholders.
Since its inception, the initiative has seen more than 120,000 insurgents and their families surrender. The 789 ex-combatants currently in the programme are expected to complete their rehabilitation within the year.
Musa also highlighted that the meeting focused on strategies for properly reintegrating the first batch of 391 individuals into their respective states.
Additionally, he noted that the gathering provided a vital platform to reflect on collective efforts in the de-radicalisation initiative, evaluate progress, and develop strategies to address future challenges.
He said, ”I must state that your relentless efforts and commitment to ensuring national security are highly appreciated. The successes recorded so far are a testament to your resilience and commitment to duty. In spite of the successes, we must remember that there is a lot more to be done, hence the importance of this stakeholders’ meeting. We currently have a total of 789 ex-combatants undergoing a de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme under the initiative who are expected to graduate this year. Today’s meeting will therefore centre on coming up with modalities to ensure the proper reintegration of the first of two batches consisting of 391 clients into their states.’’
Mr. Musa encouraged state governments benefiting from the program to support the smooth reintegration of ex-combatants by offering additional assistance to ease their transition.
He expressed confidence that close collaboration with local and traditional authorities would enable states to effectively utilize their security resources to track and monitor the progress of reintegrated ex-combatants.
He stated, “I must emphasise that stakeholders must be actively involved in this reintegration process to foster resilience. Do not also forget that the importance of this meeting is ensuring lasting peace and security in our country.’’
Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, Commander of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), described the initiative as a multi-agency humanitarian program supported by the provisions of the Nigerian constitution, as well as International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws.
Ali highlighted that since its inception in 2016, the program has successfully processed 2,190 individuals, including 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. He noted that the foreign participants were handed over to their respective national authorities for reintegration.
Between July and November 2024, a total of 825 individuals were transferred to the DRR Camp to begin training, including 14 foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Ali also mentioned that 22 participants were later transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further assessment and treatment.
The commander emphasized that the meeting aimed to finalize arrangements for the seamless transfer of current camp residents to their respective national and state authorities for reintegration upon graduation in March.
NAN
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