22 repentant Boko Haram members graduate from FG’s de-radicalization and rehabilitation programme in Gombe (photos)

No fewer than 22 former members of Boko Haram and ISWAP have completed the Federal Government’s de-radicalization and rehabilitation programme.

The graduation programme was held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Operation Safe Corridor, Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced the operation to encourage members of insurgent and terrorist groups to surrender. 

After swearing an oath of allegiance to the Nigerian state, the graduates were presented with certificates and starter packs to encourage them to become self-reliant.

Speaking, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, who was represented by Major General Mohammed Ahmed, cleared misconceptions about the operation, saying the processes would be overhauled.

According to him, the operation has deliberately adopted a non-kinetic approach in a bid to tackle the security challenges in the region. 

“The operation is a major arm of the military’s non-kinetic offensive against insecurity in the North-East region. None of the graduates were linked to terrorism after their graduation. It will be unfortunate for them to be stigmatised and discriminated,” Musa stated. 

Speaking further, Musa explained that since Operation Safe Corridor began operating, it has trained and reintegrated a total of 2,168 persons into the society.

“I am not, however, unaware that many citizens of this country have expressed fears that Operation Safe Corridor is a mere scheme that recircles terrorists and insurgence into society; others said that graduates of the scheme are covertly recruited into the forces of Nigeria, like the Nigerian police, and other government security agencies arising from such insinuations mostly perpetrators by mischief makers and misguided patriots.

“The armed forces under my watch will not allow such unfounded imagination to happen,” he added.

He also refuted allegations that the country has been recruiting those with insurgency links into security agencies.

“Accordingly, my disposition in the fight against terrorism and insurgency are enough to convince you that I can’t watch and allow confirmed terrorists, insurgents or perpetrators of other criminals acts who are enemies of our beloveth nation to be recruited into any any of the security agencies in the country under any guise or whatsoever.”

Also, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, who was represented by Deputy Governor Dr Manassah Jatau, demanded that those de-radicalised should justify the fresh opportunity granted to them by becoming good citizens and advocates of peace.

He said security is too serious to be neglected entirely by operatives.

“We have set up the Ministry of Internal Security in our first term it was internal security and ethical orientation now it’s internal security and home affairs,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of other de-radicalised members, Muhammad Alkali lauded President Bola Tinubu for giving them a second chance.

“Today is a historic day in our lives to witness this graduation. We thank the president. On behalf of my colleagues, we promise to be good citizens, to use what we learnt,” Alkali stated.