Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said a total of 789 ex-terrorist combatants, including foreigners, are undergoing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme under the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) initiative.
General Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, made this known at the OPSC Stakeholders Meeting yesterday in Abuja.
He said the initiative has led to over 120,000 insurgents and their family members surrendering since the inception of the programme.
The defence chief said that the programme was initiated due to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province members, induced by well-coordinated operations by all stakeholders.
He said that the 789 ex-combatants were expected to graduate within the year.
He added that the meeting centred on developing modalities to ensure the proper reintegration of the first of two batches of 391 clients into their states.
The CDS said the meeting would also provide a critical platform for us to reflect on our collective effort regarding the de-radicalisation initiative, assess their progress, and strategise against anticipated challenges.
“I must state that your relentless efforts and commitment to ensuring national security are highly appreciated.
“The successes recorded so far are a testament to your resilience and commitment to duty.
“Despite the successes, we must remember that there is a lot more to be done, hence the importance of this stakeholder meeting.
“Consequently, we currently have a total of 789 ex-combatants undergoing a de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme under the initiative who are expected to graduate this year.
“Today’s meeting, therefore, centred on coming up with modalities to ensure the proper reintegration of the first of two batches consisting of 391 clients into their states,” he said.
Musa urged benefiting state governments to facilitate the seamless reintegration of the ex-combatants by providing additional support to ease the transition process.
He expressed optimism that working closely with local and traditional authorities would help states deploy security apparatus to effectively track and monitor the progress of the reintegrated ex-combatants.
“I must emphasise that all stakeholders must be actively involved in this reintegration process to foster resiliency.
“Do not forget the importance of this meeting ensuring lasting peace and security in our country,” he added.
Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, commander of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), said OPSC was a multi-agency humanitarian scheme backed by the extant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws.
Ali said the programme had, since commencement in 2016, successfully processed 2,190 clients comprising 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
He said all foreign clients were transferred to their respective national authorities for reintegration.
According to him, 825 clients were transferred to the DRR Camp to commence training between July and November 2024.
“Amongst them are 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
“It is also important to mention that 22 clients were subsequently transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, for further evaluation and management,” he said.
The commander said the meeting was to work out modalities for the smooth transfer of the clients presently in the camp to their national and state authorities for re-integration after graduation in March.
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