390 Former Boko Haram Terrorists Graduate From De-radicalization Programme

A total of 390 former Boko Haram members successfully completed the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme in Gombe State.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, during the graduation ceremony held in Malam Sidi, located in the Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Musa noted that the participants arrived at the camp in July 2024 and engaged in various activities designed to facilitate their rehabilitation, preparing them for reintegration into society.

Speaking on his behalf, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Makollo emphasised that the federal government’s non-kinetic approach is having a positive effect on military operations in the Northeast region.

He reaffirmed the army’s dedication to addressing security issues in the country and promoting peace and safety.

Musa encouraged the graduates to act as peace ambassadors within their communities, while also cautioning them against breaching the oath they took and their loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commandant of the DRR Camp under Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), Col. Abiodun Johnson, added that the group included six foreign nationals and 384 Nigerians who have been rehabilitated and are now prepared for reintegration.

Johnson said, “A further breakdown of the 390 clients shows 13 clients hailed from Adamawa, one from Akwa-Ibom, 19 from Bauchi State, 218 from Borno, one from Cross River, one from Edo, five from Gombe, and five from Jigawa.

“Others are 15 from Kaduna State, 14 from Kano State, seven from Katsina State, three from Kebbi, five from Kogi, two from Nasarawa, five from Niger, one from Osun and two from Oyo.

“Four from Plateau, five from Sokoto State, three from Taraba, 47 from Yobe and eight from Zamfara.

“The foreign clients include one from Cameroon, one from Chad and four from the Niger Republic.

“Similarly, six clients are Christians and 384 are Muslims. This information is essential for management planning and the reintegration process.”

He detailed that throughout the DRR program, participants received training in a variety of skills they selected, including welding, tailoring, carpentry, baking, laundry services, and electrical repairs, among others.

He noted that this training aimed to facilitate their reintegration into society and deter them from returning to criminal activities.

The camp commandant mentioned that the participants had acknowledged their past actions, renounced their affiliation with the insurgent group, and pledged to become loyal, obedient, and responsible members of society.

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, stated that the Federal Government is dedicated to tackling insecurity within the nation.

Umar praised the armed forces for their resilience and their use of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in combating terrorism and violent extremism.

She also recognised President Bola Tinubu for his political commitment and for approving the expansion of the OPSC to encompass all six geopolitical zones, particularly with the addition of the North-West and the establishment of a DRR camp in Zamfara State.

Umar, represented by NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Cdr. Abang Oyong, provided food and non-food supplies to the participants.

She indicated that these supplies would assist in stabilising them following the DRR program and support their smooth reintegration into society.

Naijaonpoint understands that each participant received a starter pack tailored to their training area along with ₦50,000.

The donated items included 400 bags of rice (25kg), 400 bags of maize (25kg), 400 bottles of vegetable oil, 40 cartons of seasoning, and 40 cartons of tomato paste.

Additionally, there were 20 bags of iodised salt, 400 bath towels, 800 plastic plates, and 800 plastic spoons.