Military authorities on Thursday said it would hand over 613 rehabilitated “low-risk repentant” terrorists to their state governments.
The 613 rehabilitated terrorists are said to be currently undergoing de-radicalisation and rehabilitation handled by Operation Safe Corridor.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, disclosed these during the fifth stakeholders’ meeting of Operation Safe Corridor in Abuja.
Irabor who was represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operation, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, said the meeting would discuss the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration Programme ahead of the transfer of the rehabilitated persons to their state governments.
He said, “The OPSC was established by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2015 as a window for willing and repentant terrorists to lay down their arms and undergo a structured DRR programme.
“It is also important to mention that upon graduation from the programme, each client will be provided some food and personal items, as well as a start-up pack according to the trade learnt during training to enable them to set up small businesses and start a new life.”
“We, therefore recommend that the receiving state governments should provide the necessary support to enable the ex-combatants to wade through the transitional and most challenging phase of their lives.
“We are optimistic that working closely with local and traditional authorities, the states can deploy security apparatus at their disposal to effectively track and evaluate the re-integrated ex-combatants.
“I must emphasise that it is critical for all stakeholders involved in the reintegration processes to mitigate, or eliminate incidences of recidivism.”
