No fewer than 744 ex-combatants have successfully completed the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration initiative under Operation Safe Corridor.
A breakdown of the participants shows that Borno State accounted for the highest number with 597, followed by Yobe (58), Kano (15), Bauchi (12), and Adamawa (10). Others came from states such as Kogi, Nasarawa, Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Sokoto, alongside smaller representations from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Kebbi.
The programme also accommodated foreign nationals, including individuals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and the Niger Republic.
At the graduation ceremony in Gombe, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, described the initiative as a calculated strategy to tackle the root causes of insurgency. He stressed that the effort should not be mistaken for amnesty, but rather a means of reducing the chances of reoffending while weakening extremist recruitment networks.
“This is not a reward but a deliberate approach to reducing violence, weakening recruitment pipelines, and fostering long-term stability,” he said.
He further noted that lasting peace can only be achieved through a combination of military operations and rehabilitation efforts, urging the graduates to fully reintegrate into society and turn away from violence.
In his remarks, the coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Yusuf Ali, explained that participants were taken through structured programmes, including psychosocial support, vocational training, and reorientation sessions aimed at preparing them for productive civilian life.
“This process is about rebuilding identity, restoring values, and preparing individuals to return as responsible members of society,” he stated.
