FG Hands Over 230 Reformed Boko Haram Members to Borno Government
The Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor has officially handed over 230 repentant Boko Haram members to the Borno State Government after their successful completion of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme at the Malam Sidi Camp in Gombe State.
The individuals, all indigenes of Borno State, were part of a total of 390 former insurgents who voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian Army and underwent the comprehensive DRR process. The group recently graduated as part of Batches Six and Seven of the programme.
During the graduation ceremony, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, highlighted the significance of multi-agency collaboration in achieving the programme’s goals. He called on communities to support the reintegration of the former insurgents, noting that each participant underwent six months of intensive rehabilitation, including psychological counselling, religious reorientation, civic education, and vocational training.
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The Commandant of the DRR Camp, Colonel A.A. Johnson, stated that the programme addressed both ideological and behavioural issues. He noted that the oath of allegiance taken by the graduates was a strong indication of their commitment to peace and national unity.
Receiving the returnees, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, reaffirmed Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to peacebuilding, reintegration, and the long-term recovery of communities affected by insurgency.
“We are here to welcome our indigenes and reassure them that Borno is ready to reintegrate them into society with dignity. This process is about forgiveness, healing and rebuilding,” Gambo said.
She also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Federal Government for their efforts in restoring peace and providing avenues for transformation through the DRR initiative.
The ceremony drew representatives from several states including Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, and Kogi. Also in attendance were officials from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), North East Development Commission (NEDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Federal Ministry of Justice, among other key stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s reintegration framework.
By PRNigeria
