DHQ establishes Operation Safe Corridor in North West to rehabilitate ex-bandits.
The Defence Headquarters has formally launched Operation Safe Corridor in Nigeria’s North-Western zone, with headquarters in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
The initiative aims to reduce insecurity by establishing a structured process for rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists who willingly hand over their weapons.
During the official transfer of office premises that will serve as the operational headquarters, Governor Dauda Lawal emphasised his administration’s commitment to assisting security forces in combating crime.
Operation Safe Corridor is a specific military effort that aims to help former militants and bandits reintegrate into society.
The effort is organised around five main components: disarmament, demobilisation, de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
The initiative was effectively executed in the North-East zone, targeting Boko Haram defectors, and is currently being expanded to the North-West to handle the ongoing security situation in states such as Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, was represented by Major General Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Training and Operations at Defence Headquarters, and emphasised the importance of the initiative in combating terrorism and banditry through rehabilitation.
Similarly, Amb Mairo Abbas, a spokesperson of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, encouraged state governments to establish a centre for the families of individuals wishing to surrender in order to de-radicalize and rehabilitate them.
He went on: “As we commence the implementation of this programme in the camp, we also need to take cognisance of wives and the children of those repentant bandits.”
The states would need to establish a Holding Centre where the Women’s Affairs Ministry could be empowered to provide them with de-radicalization and rehabilitation services, as having lived with the combatants, they may have developed views of radicalisation and criminal tendencies.
“So, it is for us to try as much as possible to also de-radicalize them and rehabilitate them so that they become responsible citizens of this country once more.”
Governor Lawal acknowledged the potential benefits of Operation Safe Corridor during his keynote address, but emphasised that his administration will not participate in any communication or negotiation with terrorist groups.
However, he stressed that his government is eager to receive any bandit who fully surrenders their weaponry.
The launch of Operation Safe Corridor in the North West is planned to supplement current military operations aimed at restoring peace and security to the region.
With the programme’s headquarters now in Zamfara State, security partners are optimistic that it would assist reduce violence and reintegrate ex-fighters who are willing to give up criminality.