No fewer than 117 repentant terrorists from Borno State don successfully complete Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, as Federal Government dey expand the initiative go North West region.
Dis one come as Benue State Government formally request make dem establish DRR camp for North Central zone to help stabilise affected communities.
According to statement wey Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba release on Thursday, dem announce the graduation during high-level stakeholders meeting wey Defence Headquarters organise for Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
The meeting focus on how dem go transfer the rehabilitated persons give national and state authorities for proper reintegration into society.
Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen. Y. Ali, talk say the 117 graduates complete their DRR process for Mallam Sidi Camp for Borno State.
He explain say the success show better cooperation between federal and state governments for reception, monitoring and community reintegration.
Ali also talk say dem don expand the programme enter North West, where dem establish another DRR camp since February last year to improve stability for the region.
He add say dem dey currently engage with Zamfara State to restructure the facility into full Victim Healing, Rehabilitation and Reintegration centre, wey go include psychosocial support, community reconciliation, livelihood assistance and structured monitoring.
For North Central, Ali confirm say Benue State don officially request for DRR camp. Defence Headquarters don already inspect proposed sites and advise say the facilities must align with national infrastructure, security and sustainability standards before approval.
Stakeholders wey attend the meeting include representatives from federal ministries, Office of the National Security Adviser, state governments and neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
International partners such as International Committee of the Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, Norway, United Kingdom, European Union and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also show face.
Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of OPSC National Steering Committee, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, wey Jamal Abdusalam represent, talk say Operation Safe Corridor remain key part of Nigeria security strategy.
He explain say while military operations help create space for peace, proper rehabilitation and reintegration na wetin go sustain security gains and stop ex-fighters from returning to violence.
Nigeria counter-insurgency approach combine military action with rehabilitation of surrendered fighters through Operation Safe Corridor, wey start for 2016. The programme now dey expand beyond North East as more states wey insurgency and banditry affect dey seek DRR camps to support recovery and stability efforts.
