117 Repentant Borno Terrorists Graduate from Rehabilitation Program
One hundred seventeen repentant terrorists from Borno State have officially completed the Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration program under Operation Safe Corridor. This significant development was announced by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, in a detailed statement released on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
High-Level Stakeholders Meeting
The graduation was formally disclosed during a high-level stakeholders meeting convened by the Defence Headquarters at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. The primary objective of this gathering was to finalize the modalities for transferring the rehabilitated individuals to national and state authorities for their subsequent reintegration into society.
Brigadier General Y. Ali, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, provided operational updates during the meeting. He confirmed that the 117 graduates had successfully completed the DRR process at the Mallam Sidi Camp located in Borno State.
General Ali emphasized that this achievement reflects a notable improvement in coordination between federal and state authorities concerning the reception, monitoring, and community reintegration of former combatants.
Expansion of Operation Safe Corridor
In his briefing, General Ali also highlighted the strategic expansion of Operation Safe Corridor beyond the North East region. He noted that a DRR camp established in the North West in February of the previous year represents a significant milestone in stabilization efforts.
Ongoing engagements with Zamfara State authorities aim to recalibrate this facility toward a comprehensive Victim Healing, Rehabilitation and Reintegration framework. This enhanced framework will integrate psychosocial recovery, community reconciliation, livelihood support, and structured monitoring to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Requests from Other Regions
Regarding the North Central region, General Ali disclosed that Benue State has formally requested the establishment of a DRR camp within its jurisdiction. In response, the Defence Headquarters has conducted assessments of proposed sites and has advised that any new facility must align with national infrastructure standards, security protocols, and sustainability benchmarks before approval is granted.
Broad Participation and International Support
The stakeholders meeting attracted a diverse array of participants, including representatives from various federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and multiple state governments. International partners and neighboring countries also attended, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
- Neighboring countries represented included Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
- International organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration were present.
- Additional support came from Norway, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Keynote Address and Strategic Importance
Delivering the keynote address, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the OPSC National Steering Committee, underscored the critical role of Operation Safe Corridor within Nigeria's broader security architecture. Represented by Major General Jamal Abdusalam, the Chief of Defence Operations, General Oluyede articulated the program's strategic value.
He noted that while kinetic military operations create the necessary space for stability, structured rehabilitation and reintegration processes are essential to sustain security gains and prevent a return to violence. This dual approach forms the cornerstone of Nigeria's comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy.
Background and Future Outlook
Operation Safe Corridor was launched in 2016 as a pivotal component of Nigeria's counter-insurgency efforts, designed to support the disarmament, deradicalisation, and reintegration of surrendered fighters. The program's success in the North East has prompted its expansion to other regions affected by insurgency and banditry.
As more states seek to establish DRR camps, the program is evolving to address diverse security challenges across the nation, reinforcing its role in national stabilization and recovery efforts. The graduation of the 117 individuals from Borno State marks a tangible step forward in this ongoing mission to transform former combatants into productive members of society.
