744 repentant terrorists complete rehabilitation under Operation Safe Corridor
No fewer than 744 former fighters 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 on Thursday in Gombe State, marked the successful completion of a structured rehabilitation process designed to support individuals who have renounced violence and are being reintegrated into society.
Of the 744 graduates, 597 are from Borno State. Others include 58 from Yobe, 15 from Kano, 12 from Bauchi, 10 from Adamawa, five from Kogi, four from Nasarawa, three each from Ebonyi and Katsina, two each from Abia, Anambra, Niger, Plateau and Sokoto, and one each from Akwa Ibom, Kebbi and Enugu.
The programme also included foreign nationals: one from Burkina Faso, one from Cameroon, two from Chad and four from the Niger Republic.
In terms of religion, 733 participants are Muslims while 11 are Christians.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the programme should not be seen as a reward for wrongdoing but as part of a broader national security strategy.
Represented by Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, Director of Special Operations Forces at Defence Headquarters, he said the initiative addresses the human dimensions of insurgency.
“This moment is not just a ceremony, it is a statement of progress, a demonstration of national resolve and a testimony to the power of strategic thinking in addressing human dimensions of conflict,” he said.
Oluyede stressed that while military force remains necessary, long term stability depends on rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Operation Safe Corridor represents Nigeria’s firm belief that while kinetic operations are necessary to neutralise threats, lasting peace can only be achieved when we address the underlying drivers of de radicalisation, disengagement and reintegration,” he said.
He added that the initiative is not a reward but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence, weaken extremist recruitment and promote stability.
Addressing the graduates, the CDS urged them to embrace a new path and avoid a return to violence.
“Nigeria is giving you a second chance, do not waste it,” he said. “You are returning not just to your communities but to a responsibility to live peacefully, contribute meaningfully and reject all forms of violence and extremism.”
Oluyede also clarified that the programme is not an amnesty scheme. He said it complements military operations by addressing human factors in conflict and reducing recidivism.
The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali, said the programme was established as a strategic response to insurgency, combining security efforts with rehabilitation.
He explained that participants underwent psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation, civic education and behavioural transformation.
“This process is not merely about disengagement, it is about rebuilding identity, restoring values and preparing individuals to return to society as responsible citizens,” he said.
Ali noted that many participants were victims of coercion and manipulation.
“Some were abducted, others were forced, and many were drawn into the conflict due to circumstances beyond their control. Today marks a turning point,” he said.
He added that reintegration requires strong community support from families, state governments and local institutions.
The Governor of Gombe State, represented by his SSA on Security Matters and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Musa, urged the graduates to make good use of the opportunity.
He said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to peace building and national stability.
“You have been given a second chance, do not take it for granted,” he said. “Go forward and become responsible, law abiding citizens who will contribute positively to your communities and the nation.”
The graduation highlights Nigeria’s continued shift toward combining military action with non kinetic strategies in addressing insurgency, particularly in the North East.
Established as part of the response to the Boko Haram conflict, Operation Safe Corridor focuses on de radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals willing to renounce violence.
Over time, the programme has evolved into a multi agency effort involving local and international partners aimed at reducing recidivism, countering extremist recruitment and promoting long term stability through community based reintegration.