789 Former Terrorists Undergoing Rehabilitation — CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, revealed that 789 former terrorist combatants, including foreign nationals, are currently undergoing de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) as part of the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) programme.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, General Musa shared this information during the OPSC Stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. He also noted that over 120,000 insurgents and their family members have surrendered since the program’s inception.
The CDS highlighted that the initiative was launched following the mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters, a result of coordinated efforts from all involved parties. He confirmed that the 789 ex-combatants are expected to graduate by the end of the year.
The meeting’s focus was to develop strategies for reintegrating the first batch of 391 clients back into their respective states. The CDS emphasized the importance of the meeting in evaluating the programme’s progress and addressing any forthcoming challenges.
“The hard work and dedication of all involved in ensuring national security are commendable, and the achievements thus far reflect this commitment. However, we must acknowledge that there is still much to be done,” Musa stated. “The reintegration of ex-combatants into their communities is a critical part of this initiative, and this meeting is an essential step in ensuring a smooth transition.”
Musa encouraged state governments to support the reintegration process and work alongside local and traditional leaders to track the progress of these individuals, ensuring their successful return to society.
He stressed the significance of collaborative effort in maintaining long-term peace and security.
The Commander of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, explained that the OPSC is a multi-agency humanitarian initiative aligned with Nigeria’s Constitution and International Humanitarian Law. Since its launch in 2016, the program has processed 2,190 clients, including 27 foreign nationals from countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Ali added that between July and November 2024, 825 clients were transferred to the DRR Camp for training. Among them were 14 foreign nationals, and 22 individuals were later transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further evaluation.
The meeting’s goal was to finalize the details of reintegrating the clients into their states and countries after they graduate in March.
