The Federal Government has disclosed that no fewer than 300 terrorists have repented and are currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of its broader efforts to counter terrorism through non-kinetic means.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu Laka, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ and donors’ meeting on Thursday.
The meeting which was focused on promoting livelihood and agricultural opportunities for ex-combatants and conflict-affected communities, was held in Abuja.
Laka revealed that the initiative is a continuation of the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
He also stated that about 2,600 former fighters have already completed rehabilitation at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State just as he revealed that the 300 under rehabilitation are among those who surrendered voluntarily in recent months, particularly from the North-West and North-Central regions of the country.
He said, “Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, a Deradicalisation Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, has so far graduated over 2,600 low-risk former combatants, providing them with psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance. Currently, there are over 300 clients in the camp undergoing the process.
“Furthermore, a growing number of terrorists and bandits are now expressing willingness to surrender in the North West and North Central regions. Efforts are currently underway to design and implement similar Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration programmes tailored to these regions in North West Nigeria.
“However, one of the key lessons from previous Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration experiences is the urgent need for sustainable economic reintegration pathways. Many former clients face uncertainty and limited opportunities once reintegrated, which can threaten the gains of the rehabilitation process.”
Laka also announced the launch of a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative by the federal government in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture which he said is aimed at ensuring sustainable reintegration by providing access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market opportunities.
He stated that six states are already declaring interest in hosting the programme which he noted is not just for repentant terrorists but also for widows and members of conflict-affected communities.
He added; “Strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies.
“The new project will provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market linkages for former clients of the federal government’s disarmament, deradicalisation, and reintegration programme, as well as widows and members of conflict-affected communities.”
During his remark at the event, too, IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Abdoulaye Tahirau, described the programme, Seeds For Hope, as a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery.
