The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 2,016 ex-combatants have graduated from the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) programme, out of 300,000 terrorists who surrendered to troops over the past 10 years.
It said though the surrendered number included women and children, the programme does not admit this category.
Operation Safe Corridor, launched in 2016, is a federal government‑led non‑kinetic counter‑insurgency programme designed to encourage, rehabilitate, and reintegrate repentant former combatants — especially those who have surrendered from armed groups such as Boko Haram and splinter groups — back into society.
Coordinated by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the programme targets low-risk individuals, particularly those not deeply involved in combat operations, and prepares them for reintegration into civilian life.
Speaking through the Coordinator of OPSC, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, the military high command said the programme is helping to reduce violent extremism in parts of the country.
Ali assured that effective measures had been activated, with a view to making it foolproof.
He clarified that women and children, who are part of the surrendered and reformed combatants , are handed over to their respective states of origin, for rehabilitation.
Ali said, “2615 clients have so far graduated through OPSC. This is out of more than 300, 000 who have surrendered including women and children.
“But OPSC does not admit women and children. They are usually catered for by their respective state governments with assistance by UNICEF.”
Addressing concerns raised by members of the public regarding due diligence, monitoring, among other safeguards, Ali noted that “Operation Safe Corridor is not static,saying it is continuously evolving in response to the changing security environment and the realities we are seeing across different theatres of operation in Nigeria.
He said, “What we are doing now is strengthening the programme along several critical lines.
“We are not saying the programme is perfect. Like similar initiatives globally, especially in active conflict environments, there are challenges, particularly around community acceptance and balancing victim support with reintegration.
“That is why we are evolving the programme to include stronger community engagement and victim centred interventions.”
The Nation reports that the OPSC Coordinator had earlier identified the national identification number (NIN) registration as one of the mechanisms deployed by the System to monitor ex-combatants’ conducts after graduation from the six-month intensive deradicalisation, reformation, and reintegration (DRR) programme.
The multi-agency programme is designed to encourage the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents and reintegrate them back into society.
The OPSC focuses on low-risk fighters who were often coerced through forced recruitment or abduction.
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