Borno State has taken in 230 repentant terrorists processed through Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), a programme designed to weaken recruitment channels of terrorist and bandit groups by promoting voluntary surrender and rehabilitation.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during a Defence Headquarters media briefing, the Coordinator of OPSC, Yusuf Ali, described the initiative as a strategic response to the insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East. He clarified that the programme is conceptual rather than tied to a specific location, noting that it emerged between 2015 and 2016 at the height of the crisis.
“Operation Safe Corridor is not a geographical entity; it is an idea.
“It was created at a time when many individuals, mostly conscripted or forced into terrorist groups, began surrendering as troops intensified operations and reclaimed occupied communities,” he said.
Ali explained that many of those who surrendered were compelled into insurgent ranks when communities such as Madagali and other populated areas fell under militant control. Others, he added, were intercepted during travel and coerced into supporting insurgent activities.
“As operations intensified, many of them seized the opportunity to escape and surrender.
“The question then was: what do we do with them? That led to the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.
According to him, surrendered individuals undergo a rigorous screening process that categorises them into low, medium, and high-risk groups. This process involves over 17 ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, alongside international partners.
“The Ministry of Justice is responsible for screening and determining those with no case to answer.
“Those considered victims of circumstances are classified as low-risk and handed over to Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.
Ali noted that individuals identified as high-risk, particularly active fighters captured during military operations, are prosecuted through the criminal justice system. He stressed that the programme operates in parallel with legal processes that ensure accountability for crimes.
“There are two systems at play: the criminal justice system and transitional justice.
“Those found guilty are tried and sentenced, while Operation Safe Corridor handles those without criminal liability,” he explained.
Participants in the initiative undergo deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programmes, which include psychosocial support and vocational training. Agencies such as the Nigerian Correctional Service oversee deradicalisation, while the National Directorate of Employment provides skills training. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency also assists by addressing substance abuse among participants.
“At the end of the programme, they are equipped with skills such as tailoring, welding and other trades to enable them to become productive members of society,” he said.
Ali emphasised that the initiative is neither a pathway into military service nor a reward mechanism for criminal acts.
He said, “Operation Safe Corridor is not a place to recruit people into the Nigerian Army. The Armed Forces have their own recruitment procedures.
“It is also not a system that rewards criminality. Those found guilty are prosecuted and serving sentences.”
He further stated that the programme complements military operations by tackling underlying drivers of insurgency while fostering reintegration and long-term peace. To address public concerns, Ali added that frequently asked questions about the programme have been compiled and will be shared with relevant stakeholders.
He urged Nigerians to support the initiative, describing it as a vital element of the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.
