The Federal Government has announced plans to reintegrate 744 repentant terrorists and victims of violent extremism into society after completing its De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
The beneficiaries, drawn largely from the North-East, include 597 from Borno and 58 from Yobe, alongside others from 15 states and eight foreign nationals. A total of 733 are Muslims, while 11 are Christians.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Gombe, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the initiative is aimed at reducing violent extremism and promoting lasting peace, stressing it is not a reward for wrongdoing.
He explained that participants underwent months of psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation and civic education to prepare them for civilian life.
Also speaking, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, dismissed claims that repentant terrorists are being recruited into the military, describing the programme as a structured effort to restore peace in affected communities.
The Federal Government urged the graduates to embrace the opportunity and warned against returning to violence, noting that the success of the programme depends on community acceptance and sustained support from stakeholders.
