Military Pronounces Commencement of 789 Ex-Terrorist Combatants Beneath De-radicalisation Programme

The Chief of Defence Employees (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has introduced that 789 former terrorist combatants are at the moment present process the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme beneath the Operation Protected Hall (OPSC) initiative.

Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Coverage and Plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, disclosed this on the OPSC Stakeholders Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday. He defined that the programme was initiated in response to the mass give up of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, a results of coordinated efforts by safety businesses and different stakeholders.

He acknowledged that greater than 120,000 insurgents and their households had surrendered for the reason that programme’s inception, with the present batch of 789 ex-combatants anticipated to graduate this yr. The assembly, he added, was centered on growing methods for reintegrating the primary of two batches, consisting of 391 people, into their respective states.

Musa emphasised the necessity for steady collaboration to make sure the programme’s success. “I have to state that your relentless efforts and dedication to making sure nationwide safety are extremely appreciated. The successes recorded to this point are a testomony to your resilience and dedication to obligation,” he mentioned.

Regardless of these achievements, he harassed that a lot work stays, highlighting the significance of the stakeholders’ assembly. He known as on state governments to facilitate the sleek reintegration of former combatants by offering extra help to ease their transition.

He additionally expressed optimism that shut cooperation with native and conventional authorities would assist states deploy safety measures to trace and monitor the progress of the reintegrated people. “I have to emphasise that every one stakeholders should be actively concerned on this reintegration course of to foster resilience. Don’t additionally neglect that the significance of this assembly is guaranteeing lasting peace and safety in our nation,” he added.

Commander of Operation Protected Hall (OPSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, described OPSC as a multi-agency humanitarian scheme backed by the Nigerian Structure, in addition to worldwide humanitarian and human rights legal guidelines.

Ali famous that since its launch in 2016, the programme has efficiently processed 2,190 people, together with 2,163 Nigerians and 27 overseas nationals from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, with all overseas people transferred to their respective nationwide authorities for reintegration.

Between July and November 2024, 825 people had been transferred to the DRR Camp for coaching, together with 14 overseas nationals from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. He additionally talked about that 22 people had been transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri for additional analysis and therapy.

The commander acknowledged that the stakeholders’ assembly aimed to finalise preparations for the sleek switch of these at the moment within the camp to nationwide and state authorities for reintegration after their commencement in March.