A total of 390 former Boko Haram members have completed the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme in Gombe State.
The graduation took place on Thursday at Malam Sidi in Kwami Local Government Area. It marked the end of several months of training and counselling for the former insurgents, who arrived at the camp in July 2024.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the programme has helped in reshaping the minds of the ex-fighters. He was represented at the event by Major General Sunday Makollo.
He said, “This non-kinetic approach of the Federal Government is supporting military efforts in the Northeast. The Nigerian military remains committed to peace and security across the country.”
He advised the graduates to remain peaceful and loyal to the country. “You must not go back to violence. Stay true to your oath and become agents of peace in your communities,” he said.
The Commandant of the DRR Camp, Colonel Abiodun Johnson, explained that out of the 390 clients, 384 are Nigerians and six are foreigners.
A breakdown of the Nigerians showed they came from across 25 states, including 218 from Borno, 47 from Yobe, 19 from Bauchi, 15 from Kaduna, 14 from Kano, five each from Gombe, Jigawa, Kogi, and Niger, and others.
The foreigners include one person from Cameroon, one from Chad, and four from Niger Republic.
He added, “Six of the clients are Christians and 384 are Muslims. They were trained in welding, tailoring, carpentry, bakery, laundry, electrical repairs and more.”
According to him, the training will help them return to society and avoid returning to crime. He also said all the clients publicly denounced Boko Haram and pledged allegiance to Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, praised the military and the Federal Government for using both force and peace strategies to fight insecurity.
Represented by NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Abang Oyong, she said the Tinubu administration has approved the expansion of Operation Safe Corridor to other parts of the country.
“The DRR camp in Zamfara is part of this expansion to the North-West,” she added.
NEMA also donated food and household items to support the reintegration process. Each graduate received a ₦50,000 cash grant and a starter pack matching their training.
The donated items include 400 bags of rice, 400 bags of maize, 400 bottles of vegetable oil, seasoning, tomato paste, salt, towels, plates, and spoons.
The programme is part of ongoing efforts by the government to end terrorism and reintegrate repentant fighters peacefully into society.
