The Borno Government has received 230 repentant terrorists from the Operation Safe Corridor.

The repentant insurgents graduated from the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State.

The terrorists who are all indigenes of Borno State, were among 390 individuals formerly associated with Boko Haram but voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian Army and completed the DRR programme.

Speaking at the joint graduation ceremony for batches six and seven, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, commended the multi-agency collaboration that made the programme successful, and urged communities to support the reintegration efforts.

He said that the ex-terrorists underwent six months of structured rehabilitation, including psychological counselling, religious reorientation, civic education, and vocational training, aimed at transforming them into responsible citizens.

The commandant of the DRR Camp, Col. A.A. Johnson, said the programme was designed to address both ideological and behavioural issues, adding that the oath of allegiance taken by the graduates signified their readiness to embrace peace and national unity.

The Borno State Government was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, who reiterated Governor Babagana Zulum’s commitment to peacebuilding and reintegration.

She said, “We are here to welcome our indigenes and reassure them that Borno is ready to reintegrate them into society with dignity. This process is about forgiveness, healing and rebuilding.’’

Ms Gambo also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and the federal government for their dedication to restoring peace in the North-East and creating opportunities for transformation through the DRR programme.

The event was attended by representatives from Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi and Kogi states, as well as officials from the Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force, State Security Services, National Intelligence Agency and the North-East Development Commission.

Also present were representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Ministry of Justice and other critical stakeholders involved in the reintegration process.

(NAN)