“300 repentant terrorists currently undergoing rehabilitation" – FG The Federal Government has disclosed that more than...

“300 repentant terrorists currently undergoing rehabilitation" – FG
The Federal Government has disclosed that more than 300 repentant terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of its efforts to counter terrorism through non-kinetic means. According to Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, this initiative is a continuation of the government's deradicalisation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
"Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, a Deradicalisation Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, has so far graduated over 2,600 low-risk former combatants, providing them with psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance," Laka said.
He added, "Currently, there are over 300 clients in the camp undergoing the process... A growing number of terrorists and bandits are now expressing willingness to surrender in the North West and North Central regions."
However, Laka noted that many repentant terrorists face limited opportunities after reintegration, which could hamper the gains of the rehabilitation process. "One of the key lessons from previous Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration experiences is the urgent need for sustainable economic reintegration pathways. Many former clients face uncertainty and limited opportunities once reintegrated, which can threaten the gains of the rehabilitation process," he said.
To address this, the government has launched a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. "Strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies," Laka emphasized.
The initiative, dubbed "Seeds For Hope," aims to provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market opportunities for former combatants, widows, and members of conflict-affected communities. Six states have already expressed interest in hosting the project."