Nigeria’s military has begun discussions with neighbouring countries and international partners to facilitate the transfer and reintegration of former insurgents who have completed the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme. The initiative is aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring their safe return to society.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), through Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, held a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to finalise arrangements for handing over rehabilitated individuals to national and state authorities. Representatives from Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, as well as partners such as the United Kingdom, European Union, International Committee of the Red Cross and International Organisation for Migration, attended the meeting.
The Chief of Defence Staff, represented by Major General Jamal Abdusalam, described Operation SAFE CORRIDOR as a key non-kinetic strategy for sustaining peace, noting that rehabilitation and reintegration help prevent a return to violence.
Coordinator of the programme, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, said the initiative involves multiple government agencies and continues to strengthen its deradicalisation, counselling and reintegration systems.
He disclosed that 117 rehabilitated individuals from Borno State recently completed the programme at the Mallam Sidi camp, while plans are underway to expand similar facilities to other states, including Zamfara and Benue.
Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to restore stability in conflict-affected areas through rehabilitation and reintegration.
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