A total of 117 repentant terrorists from Borno State have successfully completed the Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, the Nigerian military’s flagship deradicalisation and reintegration initiative for former Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Operation Safe Corridor rehabilitation facility in Malam Sidi, Gombe State. The event was witnessed by senior military officers, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), officials from the Borno State Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and personnel from relevant security and humanitarian agencies.
According to a statement issued by the Defence Headquarters and confirmed by multiple credible sources including the Nigerian Army Public Relations Directorate and the Borno State Government, the 117 participants—comprising former low-risk and medium-risk fighters—underwent a structured 6–12 month programme that included:
- Psychological counselling and deradicalisation sessions led by clerics and psychologists.
- Vocational and entrepreneurial training in skills such as tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking, ICT, animal husbandry, crop farming, and small-scale trading.
- Religious reorientation to counter extremist ideologies.
- Basic literacy and numeracy education for those who lacked formal schooling.
- Medical and psychosocial support to address trauma and reintegration challenges.
The graduands were drawn exclusively from Borno State, reflecting the state’s position as the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009. Their completion brings the total number of former fighters who have passed through the Operation Safe Corridor programme to over 2,800 since it was formally launched in 2016.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor and Special Adviser to the President on Counter-Terrorism, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Audu Aliyu (rtd), described the graduation as a major milestone in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy.
“These individuals have renounced violence, completed rigorous rehabilitation, and are now ready to return to their communities as productive citizens,” he stated. “The programme is not amnesty for crimes committed; it is a second chance for those who genuinely wish to abandon terrorism and contribute positively to society.”
The Borno State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Alhaji Mustapha Karim, commended the federal government and the military for the initiative. He assured that the state would provide continued support—through housing, starter packs, and monitoring—to help the graduands reintegrate successfully and avoid recidivism.
“Today’s graduation is proof that even in the face of prolonged conflict, hope and redemption are possible,” Karim said. “We will work with community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious authorities to ensure these individuals are accepted back and given opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
The 117 graduands were formally handed over to Borno State authorities for final reintegration. Each participant received a certificate of completion, starter kits relevant to their acquired skills, and a modest financial grant to support small-scale businesses or farming ventures.
Operation Safe Corridor, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and implemented by the Nigerian Army, remains one of the most comprehensive DDR programmes in West Africa. It has faced criticism from some quarters—particularly victims’ groups and civil society organisations—who argue that more transparency is needed regarding the screening process, the risk assessment of participants, and justice for victims of Boko Haram atrocities.
However, the programme has also received international recognition, including support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union, and other partners who provide funding, technical assistance, and monitoring.
The graduation of the 117 Borno indigenes comes at a time when the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Operation Hadin Kai continue to record successes against remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad region. Military authorities say the reintegration of repentant fighters reduces the manpower available to terrorist groups and weakens their recruitment base.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who has consistently supported the programme while demanding strict vetting and community acceptance, welcomed the development. In a statement issued by his spokesman, the governor reiterated that “sustainable peace requires not only military victory but also the rehabilitation of those who lay down their arms.”
As the 117 individuals return to their communities in Borno State, the success of their reintegration will depend on sustained government support, community acceptance, and effective monitoring to prevent relapse into violence.
Operation Safe Corridor continues to process additional batches of repentant fighters, with plans to expand vocational training modules and psychosocial support in response to the evolving needs of participants and receiving communities.
