Over the past decade, Nigeria’s “Operation Safe Corridor” has successfully rehabilitated 2,615 former combatants. This federal initiative serves as a non-kinetic strategy to weaken insurgency by encouraging members of Boko Haram and other armed groups to voluntarily surrender.

While over 300,000 people have surrendered, the program specifically targets low-risk adult males. Women and children who surrender are not admitted into this specific program; instead, they are transferred to their home states for specialized care and rehabilitation supported by UNICEF.

The rehabilitation involves a six-month intensive Deradicalisation, Reformation, and Reintegration (DRR) process. This multi-agency effort, involving the police and justice ministry, equips former fighters with the vocational and psychological tools necessary to transition back into civilian life.

To ensure public safety, the military uses the National Identification Number (NIN) to monitor graduates after they leave the program. This tracking system is designed to maintain accountability and provide oversight as former combatants reintegrate into their various communities.

Military officials acknowledge that community acceptance and victim support remain significant challenges. As a result, the program is evolving to include stronger community engagement and victim-centered strategies to help bridge the gap between repentant fighters and the public.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to reduce violent extremism by offering a pathway out for those coerced into joining insurgent groups. By facilitating these surrenders, the government hopes to deplete enemy ranks and foster long-term peace across the country.