No fewer than 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism on Thursday completed the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
A state-by-state breakdown of the 744 participants shows that two are from Abia, 10 from Adamawa, one from Akwa Ibom, two from Anambra, 12 from Bauchi, 597 from Borno, three from Ebonyi, one from Enugu, 15 from Kano, three from Katsina, one from Kebbi, five from Kogi, four from Nasarawa, two from Niger, two from Plateau, two from Sokoto, and 58 from Yobe.
The group also includes foreign nationals: one from Burkina Faso, one from Cameroon, two from Chad, and four from Niger Republic.
Out of the total, 733 are Muslims, while 11 are Christians.
Speaking during the ceremony in Gombe, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, described the initiative as “not a reward” for violent acts but a calculated approach to tackling extremism.
Represented by the Director of Special Operations Forces at Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, he explained that the programme targets the human aspects of insurgency while fostering sustainable peace.
“This moment is not just a ceremony; it is a statement of progress, a demonstration of national resolve and a testimony to the power of strategic thinking in addressing human dimensions of conflict,” he said.
Oluyede noted that although military action remains important, enduring peace depends on effective rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Operation Safe Corridor represents Nigeria’s firm belief that while kinetic operations are necessary to neutralise threats, lasting peace can only be achieved when we address the underlying drivers of de-radicalisation, disengagement and reintegration,” he said.
He added, “This is not a reward but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence, weaken extremist recruitment and promote long-term stability.”
He also advised the beneficiaries to fully embrace their new beginning and avoid returning to violence.
“Nigeria is giving you a second chance; do not waste it. You are returning not just to your communities but to a responsibility to live peacefully, to contribute meaningfully and to reject all forms of violence and extremism,” he said.
Oluyede clarified further that the programme should not be seen as amnesty. “Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme, and it is not a sign of weakness. It complements military operations by addressing the human threats of conflict, reducing recidivism and weakening the ideological foundations of violent extremism,” he noted.
He urged state governments and local communities to actively support reintegration efforts, stressing, “Reception, monitoring and community acceptance remain critical to sustaining the gains achieved today. This must be a collective effort.”
Earlier, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali, said the initiative was created as a strategic response to insurgency, blending security measures with rehabilitation.
“While military operations continue to degrade and neutralise threats, it became evident that lasting peace requires a structured pathway for disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of those willing to renounce violence,” Ali said.
He noted that participants underwent comprehensive training, including “psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation, educational reform, civic education and behavioural transformation.”
“This process is not merely about disengagement; it is about rebuilding identity, restoring values and preparing individuals to return to society as responsible citizens,” he added.
Ali explained that many participants were victims of force and manipulation. “Some were abducted, others were forced, and many were drawn into the conflict due to circumstances beyond their control. But today marks a turning point,” he said.
“From this moment, they have the opportunity to reclaim their identity, rebuild their lives and pursue a future defined not by conflict but by purpose, responsibility and national development,” he added.
He stressed that reintegration requires collective effort. “State governments, community leaders, families and institutions all have critical roles to play in ensuring that these individuals are accepted, monitored and supported,” he said.
The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Musa, urged the graduates to see the opportunity as a fresh start.
He said the programme demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu to peacebuilding and reintegration of repentant individuals.
“You’ve been given a second chance, do not take it for granted. Go forward and become responsible, law-abiding, and productive citizens who will contribute positively to your community and the nation at large. Do not betray the trust that Nigeria has placed in you.”
The graduation of 744 participants under Operation Safe Corridor highlights Nigeria’s continued shift towards combining military operations with non-kinetic strategies in addressing insurgency, particularly in the North-East.
Originally introduced as a structured response to the Boko Haram insurgency, the initiative reflects growing recognition that sustainable peace cannot rely solely on force but also on de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of those willing to abandon violence.
Over time, Operation Safe Corridor has developed into a multi-agency programme supported by both local and international partners, focusing on psychosocial care, vocational skills, and ideological reorientation.
The latest graduation further underscores the scale of the initiative and the Federal Government’s resolve to reduce repeat offences, weaken extremist recruitment, and promote community-based reintegration as part of a broader national stabilisation effort.