No fewer than 5,000 former Boko Haram fighters have been reintegrated into society and reunited with their families after undergoing a deradicalization program under Nigeria’s Operation Safe Corridor.
This was revealed by Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas, Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), during the second-day session of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum. Speaking at the third panel session themed “Managing Boko Haram Exits and Demobilization of Armed Groups,” Abbas emphasized that none of the rehabilitated ex-combatants had returned to the battlefield six months after their reintegration.
The Operation Safe Corridor program, designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate former insurgents, has reportedly equipped them with skills to sustain themselves within their communities. Abbas highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and traditional and religious leaders in monitoring the progress of the reintegrated individuals across Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
She also praised the Borno Model, a state-led reintegration strategy that complements federal government efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region. According to her, the approach has been instrumental in reuniting former extremists with their families and preventing recidivism.
“We always say the Borno Model is a model of necessity, but we have recorded significant success. Many former fighters have been reintegrated into their families and communities,” she stated.
Abbas called on governors within the Lake Chad region and other stakeholders to harmonize their strategies to ensure a unified and effective approach in addressing violent extremism and fostering sustainable peace.
