The Federal Government has announced the graduation of 744 former combatants and victims of violent extremism who have completed a six-month deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programme at the DRR Camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State.
The beneficiaries, drawn from different parts of Nigeria as well as neighbouring West African and Sahel countries, completed training under Operation Safe Corridor, a national initiative aimed at supporting the transition of individuals affected by insurgency back into civilian life.
According to officials, the latest graduation brings the total number of participants successfully rehabilitated through the programme to over 3,000 since its establishment about a decade ago.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the National Steering Committee of Operation Safe Corridor and Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyode, emphasized that the initiative is not an amnesty programme but a structured process combining security operations with non-kinetic strategies to promote long-term peace.
He explained that while military action remains essential in combating threats, sustainable stability requires addressing the root causes of radicalisation through rehabilitation, disengagement, and reintegration efforts.
Officials noted that participants underwent months of psychosocial support, vocational training, civic education, and behavioural reorientation designed to help them rebuild their lives and return to society as productive citizens.
The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, described the programme as a deliberate effort to address the human dimensions of conflict, noting that many participants were victims of coercion, abduction, or manipulation during periods of insecurity.
He added that the initiative focuses on rebuilding identity and restoring values to prepare beneficiaries for responsible reintegration into their communities.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State commended the programme, describing it as a significant step in Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts, while urging the graduates to embrace their second chance and contribute positively to society.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation in strengthening national unity and supporting post-conflict recovery.
