The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has announced that 789 former terrorist combatants are currently undergoing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme under the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) initiative.
Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, disclosed this at the OPSC Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday. He explained that the programme was initiated in response to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, a result of coordinated efforts by security agencies and other stakeholders.
He stated that more than 120,000 insurgents and their families had surrendered since the programme’s inception, with the current batch of 789 ex-combatants expected to graduate this year. The meeting, he added, was focused on developing strategies for reintegrating the first of two batches, consisting of 391 individuals, into their respective states.
Musa emphasized the need for continuous collaboration to ensure the programme’s success. “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,” he said.
Despite these achievements, he stressed that much work remains, highlighting the importance of the stakeholders’ meeting. He called on state governments to facilitate the smooth reintegration of former combatants by providing additional support to ease their transition.
He also expressed optimism that close cooperation with local and traditional authorities would help states deploy security measures to track and monitor the progress of the reintegrated individuals. “I must emphasise that all 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,” he added.
Commander of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, described OPSC as a multi-agency humanitarian scheme backed by the Nigerian Constitution, as well as international humanitarian and human rights laws.
Ali noted that since its launch in 2016, the programme has successfully processed 2,190 individuals, including 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, with all foreign individuals transferred to their respective national authorities for reintegration.
Between July and November 2024, 825 individuals were transferred to the DRR Camp for training, including 14 foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. He also mentioned that 22 individuals were transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further evaluation and treatment.
The commander stated that the stakeholders’ meeting aimed to finalise arrangements for the smooth transfer of those currently in the camp to national and state authorities for reintegration after their graduation in March.