In a bid to ensure the comprehensive rehabilitation of former insurgents, the Nigerian government has transferred 22 repentant Boko Haram terrorists from the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) Centre to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State, for further medical and psychological care.
The move was announced during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, convened to strategize on the seamless reintegration of rehabilitated individuals into society.
Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, the Coordinator of OPSC, disclosed that the affected individuals required specialized psychiatric attention to aid their recovery and full reintegration. He noted that mental health assessments are a crucial component of the rehabilitation process, ensuring that former combatants are mentally stable before being reintroduced into civilian life.
Since its inception in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor has processed 2,190 individuals—2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. While all foreign nationals have been repatriated to their respective countries, the Nigerian ex-combatants are undergoing structured rehabilitation programs designed to deradicalize and equip them with skills for lawful livelihoods.
Between July and November 2024 alone, OPSC admitted 825 new clients, including 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. The program is expected to graduate a new batch of rehabilitated individuals by March 2025.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, while opening the meeting—represented by Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, Chief of Defence Policy and Plan—revealed that over 120,000 terrorists and their family members have surrendered since the launch of Operation Safe Corridor in 2016. The mass surrender, largely attributed to intensified military operations and dwindling insurgent resources, prompted the government to expand rehabilitation efforts.
The CDS confirmed that 789 ex-combatants, now referred to as ‘clients,’ are currently undergoing de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DRR) training at the OPSC facility. By the end of the year, they are expected to complete the program and transition into civilian communities.
A major focus of the stakeholders’ discussion was the reintegration of the first batch of 391 rehabilitated insurgents, with plans to provide each graduate with personal items and startup kits aligned with their vocational training. The initiative aims to equip them with the means to establish businesses and rebuild their lives.
The Defence Chief underscored the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities to ensure a smooth reintegration process. He urged state governments to actively support the transition by creating job opportunities and establishing monitoring frameworks in partnership with traditional and security institutions.
“State governments must play a crucial role in this reintegration process. By working closely with local and traditional authorities, we can track progress, provide necessary interventions, and ensure that these individuals do not relapse into violent extremism,” he stated.
As Nigeria grapples with the lingering impact of insurgency, the success of the OPSC program will be a critical factor in determining whether repentant fighters can truly reintegrate and contribute to society—or pose a renewed security risk. The coming months will reveal the effectiveness of these strategies in addressing one of the country’s most pressing security challenges.
PIONEER NEWS 