117 Repentant Terrorists Complete Rehab Programme in Borno
By Rachel Akper
No fewer than 117 repentant terrorists have completed the Federal Government’s de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor in Borno State.
The development was announced during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the OPSC leadership at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information said the OPSC Coordinator disclosed that the former insurgents underwent the Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) process at the Mallam Sidi Camp. He noted that the graduation reflects strengthened collaboration between federal and state authorities in reception, monitoring and community reintegration efforts.
The coordinator commended the Chief of Defence Staff for institutional support and leadership, stating that the progress and expansion of the programme are anchored on a whole-of-government approach focused on enhanced coordination, improved welfare and sound administration.
According to him, Operation Safe Corridor is a multi-agency humanitarian stabilisation initiative backed by the 1999 Constitution and relevant international humanitarian and human rights instruments.
The programme draws personnel from 17 services, ministries, departments and agencies.
Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has processed thousands of repentant insurgents through a controlled and integrity-driven framework.
Authorities said the programme has continued to evolve by strengthening screening mechanisms, refining ideological disengagement modules, improving psychosocial recovery systems and expanding inter-agency coordination.
The coordinator stressed that the scheme remains structured and accountability-driven, with emphasis on behavioural change and sustainable reintegration outcomes.
He also disclosed that the programme has expanded to the North West, where a DRR camp established in February last year marked a stabilisation milestone.
Engagements are ongoing with the Zamfara State government to recalibrate the facility into a comprehensive victim healing, rehabilitation and reintegration centre integrating psychosocial support, community reconciliation and livelihood assistance.
Meanwhile, the Benue State government has formally requested the establishment of a DRR camp in the North Central zone. Defence authorities said proposed sites have been assessed and advised to align with national infrastructure, security and sustainability standards before approval.
The Chief of Defence Staff, represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to peacebuilding and national recovery. He described Operation Safe Corridor as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that while kinetic operations create room for stabilisation, structured rehabilitation and reintegration help consolidate gains and prevent a relapse into violence.
The meeting was attended by representatives of federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, state governments and international partners, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, as well as Norway, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration.
