The Federal Government has revealed that more than 300 former terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of its efforts to counter terrorism through non-kinetic means.
According to Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, this initiative is a continuation of the government’s deradicalization and reintegration program under Operation Safe Corridor.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ and donors’ meeting in Abuja, Laka disclosed that over 2,600 former fighters have already completed rehabilitation at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State. He noted that the 300 individuals currently undergoing rehabilitation are among those who surrendered voluntarily in recent months, particularly from the North-West and North-Central regions.
Laka highlighted the successes of Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, saying, “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.”
However, Laka emphasized the need for sustainable economic reintegration pathways, stating, “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.”
To address this challenge, the Federal Government has launched a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). According to Laka, the initiative aims to provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market opportunities for former combatants, widows, and members of conflict-affected communities.
“Strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies,” Laka explained. “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.”
Throwing his weight behind the development, IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Abdoulaye Tahirau, described the program, Seeds For Hope, as a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery, saying, “Seeds For Hope is a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery.” He noted that it will focus on improving agricultural productivity and resilience among target groups.
This new initiative is expected to make a significant impact in promoting sustainable reintegration and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies in Nigeria.
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