The Nigerian military authorities have announced plans to reintegrate 381 rehabilitated former insurgents into society by March 2025, urging state governments to implement structured monitoring and empowerment initiatives to facilitate a smooth transition.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, revealed that 789 ex-combatants are currently undergoing rehabilitation, with 381 set to complete the program next year. Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Shayi Olatunde, Musa emphasized the necessity of effective reintegration to sustain the progress achieved through Operation Safe Corridor.
He highlighted the crucial role of state governments in deploying security measures to monitor and support reintegrated individuals, ensuring they do not revert to extremist activities.
“Compliance with local regulations and fostering collaboration with communities are essential to the successful reintegration of these individuals,” Musa stated.
Additionally, he noted that upon graduation, each beneficiary would receive essential personal items and startup packages aligned with their acquired vocational skills, enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods.
“I encourage state governments to take proactive measures in facilitating the seamless reintegration of these individuals by providing additional support to ease their transition. By working closely with local and traditional authorities, states can utilize existing security infrastructures to monitor and assist reintegrated individuals effectively,” he added.
Brigadier General Y. Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, elaborated on the program’s achievements since its inception in 2016, noting that 2,190 former militants have been successfully reintegrated, including 27 foreign nationals who were repatriated to their respective countries.
Ali further disclosed that between July and November 2024, 825 new participants—including 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger—were inducted into the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) camp for intensive training. Additionally, 22 individuals requiring further psychological assessment were referred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri.
“Since 2016, Operation Safe Corridor has processed 2,190 individuals, comprising 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. The foreign nationals were subsequently repatriated for reintegration in their respective countries,” Ali reported.
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He added, “Between July and November 2024, 825 new individuals commenced training at the DRR camp, including 14 foreign nationals. Additionally, 22 individuals were referred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further evaluation and psychological support.”
Ali concluded by stating that the stakeholders’ meeting aimed to refine strategies for the orderly transfer of rehabilitated individuals to state and national authorities upon their graduation in March 2025, ensuring a structured and sustainable reintegration process.
