No fewer than 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism on Thursday graduated from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and promote lasting peace.
The graduation ceremony, held in Gombe State, brought together military officials, government representatives, and stakeholders involved in counterterrorism and peacebuilding initiatives. The programme is designed to deradicalise, rehabilitate, and reintegrate individuals who previously engaged in or were affected by extremist activities, particularly in the North-East region.
A breakdown of the graduates revealed a wide geographical spread across Nigeria. Borno State recorded the highest number with 597 participants, reflecting its status as the epicentre of insurgency in the country over the past decade. Other states represented include Adamawa with 10 graduates, Bauchi with 12, Kano with 15, and Yobe with 58.
Additional participants came from Abia (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Anambra (2), Ebonyi (3), Enugu (1), Katsina (3), Kebbi (1), Kogi (5), Nasarawa (4), Niger (2), Plateau (2), and Sokoto (2), indicating the broader national reach of the programme.
The exercise also included foreign nationals, highlighting the transnational dimension of insurgency in the Lake Chad region. Among them were one participant each from Burkina Faso and Cameroon, two from Chad, and four from the Niger Republic.
In terms of religious composition, 733 of the graduates identified as Muslims, while 11 were Christians, reflecting the demographics of the areas most affected by insurgency.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, emphasised that the programme should not be misconstrued as a reward for violent behaviour. Instead, he described it as a strategic and necessary component of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency framework.
“This initiative is not a reward for violence,” he stated. “It is a deliberate and strategic tool aimed at breaking the cycle of extremism by addressing its root causes and offering a pathway to reform and reintegration.”
He noted that military operations alone cannot completely eliminate insurgency, stressing the importance of combining kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to achieve sustainable peace. According to him, Operation Safe Corridor represents the non-kinetic aspect of the government’s strategy, focusing on rehabilitation and reconciliation.
The programme includes psychological counselling, vocational training, religious reorientation, and civic education, all aimed at transforming the mindset of participants and equipping them with skills for productive reintegration into society.
Officials say beneficiaries undergo months of intensive training and assessment before being considered fit for graduation. Upon completion, they are expected to return to their communities, where state governments and local authorities are encouraged to support their reintegration and monitor their progress.
Despite its objectives, the programme has sparked debate among Nigerians, particularly in communities directly affected by insurgent attacks. Some victims and stakeholders have raised concerns about the reintegration of former combatants, citing fears over security and justice for those who suffered losses.
However, proponents argue that rehabilitation programmes are essential in addressing the long-term threat of extremism. They maintain that providing former fighters with alternatives reduces the likelihood of recidivism and helps stabilise affected regions.
Security experts also point out that many participants in the programme were either coerced into joining insurgent groups or were victims of circumstances beyond their control, making rehabilitation a more viable solution than prolonged detention.
The Federal Government has consistently defended Operation Safe Corridor as a critical component of its broader peacebuilding efforts in the North-East. Authorities insist that the initiative complements ongoing military operations and humanitarian interventions aimed at restoring normalcy to conflict-affected areas.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and communal violence, programmes like this are expected to play an increasingly important role in national security strategy.
The graduation of the 744 participants underscores the scale of the government’s deradicalisation efforts and highlights the complexities involved in addressing violent extremism. It also reflects a growing recognition that sustainable peace requires not only defeating insurgents on the battlefield but also winning hearts and minds through rehabilitation and reintegration.
With continued collaboration between the military, government agencies, and local communities, stakeholders hope that initiatives like Operation Safe Corridor will contribute to long-term stability and reduce the threat of extremism across the country.
