789 ex-terrorists undergoing rehabilitation, 391 to be released in March, says CDS

Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), says 391 former terrorists will be reintegrated into their home states in March after completing the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC).

Speaking at the OPSC stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Musa, who was represented by Sayo Olatunde, chief of defence policy and plans, said discussions focused on ensuring a smooth reintegration process for the first of two batches of ex-combatants.

“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,” he said.

“Today’s meeting will therefore centre on coming up with modalities to ensure the proper reintegration of the first of two batches consisting of 391 clients into their states.”

Musa urged state governments to support the reintegration process by providing necessary resources and collaborating with traditional and local authorities.

He also spoke about the need for a coordinated effort to ensure security and effective monitoring of the reintegrated individuals.

“I must emphasise that all stakeholders must be actively involved in this reintegration process to foster resilience,” he added.

“Do not also forget that the importance of this meeting is ensuring lasting peace and security in our country.”

Yusuf Ali, OPSC’s commander, said the initiative, which began in 2016, has processed 2,190 persons, including 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

According to him, between July and November 2024, 825  persons were transferred to the DRR camp for training, including 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

He added that 22 persons were sent to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for further evaluation.

“The meeting is 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,” he said.