KEY POINTS

• 744 former terrorists and violent extremism victims graduated from the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe
• Borno State accounts for 597 of the 744 graduates; eight foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic are also among the cohort
• CDS Oluyede called the initiative a deliberate strategy to reduce violence and discourage extremist recruitment, not an amnesty

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede on Thursday announced the reintegration of 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism into society, following their graduation from the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe, northeastern Nigeria.

Oluyede described the initiative as a deliberate counter-terrorism strategy rather than a reward for wrongdoing. “This is not an amnesty programme, but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence, discourage extremist recruitment and ensure long-term national stability,” he said. Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, Director of Special Operations Forces at Defence Headquarters, represented the CDS at the ceremony.

Borno State leads with 597 of the 744 graduates

The 744 graduates come overwhelmingly from Borno State, which accounts for 597 of the total. Yobe State also contributes 58, Kano 15 and Adamawa 10.

Additionally, eight foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic are among the cohort. While 733 of the beneficiaries are Muslims, 11 are Christians.

The program covered psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation and civic education to prepare graduates for peaceful civilian life.

Military denies recruiting repentant terrorists into its ranks

Meanwhile, Operation Safe Corridor coordinator Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali clarified during a media tour that the Nigerian military has not recruited any repentant terrorists into its ranks, contrary to public claims. “Many Nigerians lack adequate understanding of the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism programme under Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

Furthermore, authorities said the initiative’s success depends on community acceptance, monitoring and sustained support from state governments and local stakeholders.