The Federal Government has revealed that over 300 repentant terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of its broader efforts to counter terrorism through non-kinetic means. The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj-Gen Adamu Laka, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders’ and donors’ meeting focused on promoting livelihood and agricultural opportunities for ex-combatants and conflict-affected communities.
Laka said the initiative is a continuation of the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor. He added that over 2,600 former fighters had already completed rehabilitation at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State. According to him, the 300 individuals currently undergoing rehabilitation are among those who surrendered voluntarily in recent months, particularly from the North-West and North-Central regions of the country.
He explained that Operation Safe Corridor has so far graduated over 2,600 low-risk former combatants, providing them with psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance. Currently, there are over 300 clients in the camp undergoing the process. Laka also stated that a growing number of terrorists and bandits are expressing willingness to surrender in the North West and North Central regions. Efforts are underway to design and implement similar Disarmament, Deradicalisation, and Reintegration (DDR) programmes tailored to these regions.
However, he noted that many repentant terrorists face limited opportunities after reintegration, which could undermine the rehabilitation process. One of the key lessons, he said, is the urgent need for sustainable economic reintegration pathways. To address this, Laka announced the launch of a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The initiative aims to ensure sustainable reintegration by providing access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market opportunities.
The programme is designed not just for repentant terrorists but also for widows and members of conflict-affected communities. Six states have already indicated interest in hosting the project. Laka stressed that strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies.
Also speaking at the event, IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Dr Abdoulaye Tahirau, described the programme, Seeds For Hope, as a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery. He said it would focus on improving agricultural productivity and resilience among target groups.
Source: https://punchng.com/
