The Armed Forces of Nigeria has stressed the need to integrate rehabilitated clients of Operation Safe Corridor into the society after undergoing a series of training.
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa made this known during a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, to work out modalities for transferring rehabilitated clients to their state government for reintegration.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Soya Olatunde, the Defence Chief said that “the meeting also provides a critical platform for them to reflect on their collective effort concerning the re-radicalization initiative while assessing their progress and strategizing against any anticipated challenges.”
According to him, their presence would go a long way in ensuring lasting peace in the country.
“I must state that your relentless efforts and commitment to ensuring national security are highly appreciated. The successes recorded so far are a testament to your resilience and commitment to duty. Despite the successes, we must remember that there is a lot more to be done,” he added.
He urged the partners to approach the meeting with open minds, honesty, objectivity, and a determination to learn and innovate new ideas.
“Thus, we must engage in robust discussions, ask questions, and then take action to form the most effective path for this valuable initiative,” he stressed.
He noted that Operation Safe Corridor was initiated due to the surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa pro-peace members, induced by well-coordinated operations by all stakeholders.
Adding that over 130,000 insurgents and their family members have surrendered since the inception of the program.
Consequently, they currently have a total of 789 ex-combatants undergoing the re-racialization, re-acquisition, and re-integration program under the initiative who are expected to graduate this year.
He added that conforming law with localities ensures the proper integration of the first of two parties consisting of 381 clients in the United States.
He noted that each client will be provided with some personal items as well as start-up pacts based on the things acquired.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, highlighted that Operation Safe Corridor is a multi-agency humanitarian scheme backed by extant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as international humanitarian and human rights laws.
According to him, the operation consists of personnel drawn from 17 services, ministries, departments, and agencies.
General Ali said that “this unique composition presents a whole state and government approach towards tackling insurgency in the Northeast.”
He noted that to foster synergy and improve the capacity of personnel in tandem with global best practices, Operation Safe Corridor in conjunction with its implementation partner conducts regular training in the form of seminars, workshops, and strategic retreats.
“This perhaps explains why the activities of Operation Safe Corridor have continued to attract the attention of local and international researchers in the field of geo-radicalization, reintegration, and rehabilitation.”
According to him, since the commencement of the program in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor has successfully processed 2,190 clients, comprising 2,163 Nigerians, 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
He said all the foreign clients were transferred to their respective national authorities for reintegration.
“Between July and November 2024, a total of 825 clients were transferred to the DDR camp to commence training.
“Among them are 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.
“It is also important to mention that 22 clients were subsequently transferred to the Federal Bureau of Psychiatric Hospital Medicare for further evaluation and management.”
According to him, in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, who is also the National Chairman of Operation Safe Corridor National Steering Committee, is to work out modalities for the smooth transfer of the clients presently in the camp to their national and state authorities for reintegration after graduation in March 2025.
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