More than 700 former insurgents are set to return to society after completing Nigeria’s deradicalisation programme, as the military moves to clarify misconceptions surrounding the controversial initiative.
The development centres on Operation Safe Corridor, a federal government-backed effort designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals who previously participated in insurgent activities.
During a guided media tour of the rehabilitation facility in Gombe, the programme’s coordinator, Yusuf Ali, said over 700 participants have completed the process and are ready to be returned to their communities.
Ali addressed growing public concerns about the programme, particularly claims that some participants are being recruited into the military. He firmly dismissed the allegations, stating that no such policy exists within the initiative.
He emphasised that many Nigerians misunderstand the structure and objectives of Operation Safe Corridor, which he described as a strategic component of the country’s broader counter-terrorism framework.
According to him, the programme focuses on behavioural reform, vocational training, and psychological support aimed at helping former fighters abandon extremist ideologies and rebuild their lives.
Some participants at the centre shared personal accounts of how they became involved in insurgency, offering insight into the pathways that led them into the programme and the changes they have undergone during rehabilitation.
The media visit forms part of preparations for an upcoming graduation ceremony, where the rehabilitated individuals will formally complete the programme before being reintegrated into society.
While the initiative has been praised by some as a pathway to lasting peace, it continues to generate debate, particularly among communities affected by insurgency who remain cautious about accepting former fighters back into civilian life.
