The Benue State Government has formally requested approval from the Federal Government to establish a Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) centre for repentant bandits originating from the state.
Josephine Habba, Director-General of the Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, told journalists in Makurdi that the initiative is designed to rehabilitate individuals who were coerced into serving as foot soldiers for armed groups operating in Benue.
Habba explained that these individuals are not necessarily hardened criminals but were recruited by local bandits to carry out tasks on their behalf, sometimes under duress. She added that even pregnant women were abducted and forced to perform roles such as cooking for the groups. From biometric data collected, over 1,800 people were identified, with 400 expressing willingness to participate in the rehabilitation programme.
The proposed DDR centre, Habba said, is a military-backed programme certified and funded by the United Nations. Its establishment is expected to attract international attention while also boosting troop deployment in the state.
A comprehensive plan for the programme will be unveiled at a peace summit scheduled for February 25, 2026. The programme is set to run for six months to one year, during which participants will be equipped with skills, receive certificates upon completion, and have access to community restoration initiatives. Efforts will include rebuilding schools and hospitals, restoring livelihoods, and ensuring smooth reintegration into their families and communities.
Habba also noted that she and the Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Bishop Isaac Dugu, met with the Commander of Operation Safe Corridor to recommend the establishment of the DDR centre. The Chief of Defence Staff will form a committee to assess the proposed facility in Logo Local Government Area, and action will follow based on the committee’s recommendation. The centre is expected to cost millions of naira to set up.
