No fewer than 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism have graduated from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
The graduation ceremony, held in Gombe, brought together participants from several states, with the majority drawn from Borno, alongside others from Adamawa, Kano, Yobe and other parts of the country. The group also included a few foreign nationals.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, said the initiative is a strategic approach to tackling insurgency, stressing that it is not a reward for violence.
He explained that while military operations remain necessary, long-term peace depends on addressing the root causes of extremism through rehabilitation and reintegration.
“This is not a reward but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence, weaken extremist recruitment and promote long-term stability,” he said, urging the graduates to embrace a new path and avoid returning to violence.
Oluyede also clarified that Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme but complements ongoing military efforts by focusing on behavioural change and reintegration.
Earlier, the programme’s coordinator, Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali, said participants underwent extensive training, including psychosocial support, vocational skills, religious reorientation, civic education and behavioural transformation.
He noted that many of the beneficiaries were victims of coercion and manipulation, adding that the programme aims to rebuild their identity and prepare them for responsible living in society.
Ali emphasised that successful reintegration requires the support of state governments, community leaders and families to ensure acceptance and monitoring.
Also speaking, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, represented by his aide on security matters, urged the graduates to make use of the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
The latest graduation highlights Nigeria’s continued shift towards combining military operations with non-kinetic strategies in addressing insurgency, particularly in the North-East, with a focus on reducing recidivism and promoting lasting peace.
