117 repentant terrorists complete rehabilitation programme in Borno
No fewer than 117 repentant terrorists have completed the federal government’s de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor in Borno State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Samaila Uba, director of defence information, said the coordinator of the programme, Y. Ali, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting organised by the defence headquarters in collaboration with OPSC leadership at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
The meeting focused on finalising modalities for transferring rehabilitated ex-combatants to their respective national and state authorities for reintegration.
Ali said the former fighters underwent the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration (DRR) process at Mallam Sidi Camp, describing the development as evidence of stronger collaboration between federal and state governments in reception, monitoring and community reintegration.
He commended Olufemi Oloyede, chief of defence staff, for providing leadership and institutional support, noting that the programme’s progress aligns with a whole-of-government framework focused on improved coordination, welfare and administration.
Ali explained that OPSC is a multi-agency humanitarian stabilisation initiative backed by the 1999 Constitution and international humanitarian and human rights instruments, drawing personnel from 17 ministries, departments and agencies.
He added that since its inception, the programme has strengthened screening procedures, refined ideological disengagement modules, enhanced psychosocial recovery systems and expanded inter-agency collaboration, with emphasis on accountability, behavioural change and sustainable reintegration.
The coordinator also highlighted the programme’s expansion to the north-west, including the establishment of a DRR camp last February, and ongoing engagement with the Zamfara state government to transform the facility into a comprehensive victim healing and reintegration centre.
He said Benue State has requested the establishment of a similar camp, with the defence headquarters currently assessing proposed sites to ensure they meet national security and sustainability standards.
Representing the CDS, Jamal Abdusalam, chief of defence operations, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to peacebuilding and recovery, describing OPSC as a vital component of the country’s security framework.
He noted that while military operations create room for stabilisation, structured rehabilitation helps consolidate gains and prevent renewed violence.
Abdusalam said that since 2016, the programme has processed thousands of participants through a controlled disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration system, adding that properly managed surrender pathways weaken insurgent groups, provide intelligence and support long-term stability.
The meeting drew participants from federal ministries, the office of the national security adviser, state governments, neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, as well as international partners such as Norway, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration, among others.
