No fewer than 744 former terrorists who surrendered to Nigerian authorities have successfully completed a government-backed rehabilitation programme aimed at deradicalising and reintegrating them into society.
The initiative, carried out under Operation Safe Corridor, focuses on disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) of ex-combatants who have renounced violence. The programme is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to tackle insurgency using both military action and non-violent approaches.
Officials disclosed that the rehabilitated individuals underwent structured training designed to address extremist ideology, provide psychological support, and equip them with vocational skills for a fresh start.
The programme, initially concentrated in the North-East, is now being expanded to other regions, including the North-West and North-Central, as more insurgents surrender. Authorities say this expansion reflects growing confidence in the initiative and its role in stabilising affected communities.
At a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving security agencies, government representatives, and international partners, discussions centred on how to effectively reintegrate the rehabilitated individuals into their communities while ensuring proper monitoring.
Military authorities emphasised that while combat operations remain essential, long-term peace depends on successfully rehabilitating and reintegrating former fighters to prevent them from returning to violence.
The Federal Government maintains that Operation Safe Corridor remains a critical component of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, combining security operations with social and economic reintegration strategies.
