Military to re-integrate 603 Ex Boko Haram into society

By Odimmegwa Johnpeter/ Abuja  

The Military High Command has  disclosed that over 603 repentant Boko-Haram terrorists (BHTs) who are currently undergoing the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-Integration (DRR) programme of Operation Safe Corridor will be re- integrated into the society in July, 2020. 

The command made the disclosure in Abuja while enlightening the public on the processes of Operation ‘Safe Corridor’ (OPSC) at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday.

Major General John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, who said the programme is in three stages, said since the take-off of the operation in 2016, OPSC has admitted 893 ex-combatants for the Programme out of which 280 including 2 Chadians have been successfully reintegrated back into the society through their respective national and state authorities.

According to him, “Deradicalization is the first stage of the programme after medical screening including taking of DNA sample is conducted. It covers; psychotherapy, psycho-spiritual counseling, drug abuse intervention, art therapy, sports/recreation and introduction to western education to counter the BHT ideology.

“The rehabilitation package of the programme include; training in barbing, carpentry, cosmetology, farming, leatherworks, shoe making, tailoring and welding. They will be issued with starter packs (basic tools) and provided with take off funds.

“Reintegration aspect of the DRR programme is the most delicate and longest phase that lasts beyond the camp. It entails transitional justice initiative involving family linkage with the assistance of IOM and UNICEF among others. 

“Administration of Oath of Allegiance is also conducted at this stage. The panel is headed by a judge of the Federal High Court with members drawn for relevant agencies.he disclosed.

He explained that the process is not by assembling repentant ex-combantants to inject back into the society by the military but rather a world best practice for conflicts management backed by relevant laws. 

According to him, the military are not the major players in the operations’ process, said the operation comprised several key stakeholders such as international organisations and MDAs among others. 

Added that the scheme also enjoys widespread collaboration and support of local and international NGOs. 
” The key implementation partners are:United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department For International Development (DFID), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), North-East Regional Initiative (NERI). 

“It is being administered by 468 staff drawn from 17 organizations including the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Law Enforcement and Security Agencies, other Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including North East Development Commission (NEDC) as well as locals from Gombe, where the DRR camp is located,” Enenche said. 

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The Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), which is  a non- kinetic operation, is a Defence Headquarters led multi-agency humanitarian effort aimed at giving hope to ex-combatants who willingly give up their arms to embrace peace. It was established in September 2015 and became operational in 2016.