No fewer than 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism on Thursday graduated from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State.
Breakdown of the graduates shows Abia 2, Adamawa 10, Akwa Ibom 1, Anambra 2, Bauchi 12, Borno 597, Ebonyi 3, Enugu 1, Kano 15, Katsina 3, Kebbi 1, Kogi 5, Nasarawa 4, Niger 2, Plateau 2, Sokoto 2, Yobe 58; while foreign nationals include Burkina Faso 1, Cameroon 1, Chad 2, Niger Republic 4. In religion, 733 are Muslims and 11 are Christians.
Speaking at the event in Gombe, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the programme is “not a reward” for violence but a strategic move against extremism. Represented by Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, he said: “This moment is not just a ceremony; it is a statement of progress, a demonstration of national resolve and a testimony to the power of strategic thinking in addressing human dimensions of conflict,”
He stressed that while military force remains necessary, long-term peace depends on rehabilitation and reintegration. “Operation Safe Corridor represents Nigeria’s firm belief that while kinetic operations are necessary to neutralise threats, lasting peace can only be achieved when we address the underlying drivers of de-radicalisation, disengagement and reintegration,” he said. He also added: “This is not a reward but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence, weaken extremist recruitment and promote long-term stability.”
Addressing the graduates, he warned them against returning to violence: “Nigeria is giving you a second chance; do not waste it. You are returning not just to your communities but to a responsibility to live peacefully, to contribute meaningfully and to reject all forms of violence and extremism,” he said.
He further clarified: “Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme, and it is not a sign of weakness. It complements military operations by addressing the human threats of conflict, reducing recidivism and weakening the ideological foundations of violent extremism,” he noted.
Earlier, Coordinator Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali said the programme was designed as a structured response to insurgency: “While military operations continue to degrade and neutralise threats, it became evident that lasting peace requires a structured pathway for disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of those willing to renounce violence,”
He said beneficiaries received “psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation, educational reform, civic education and behavioural transformation.” He added: “This process is not merely about disengagement; it is about rebuilding identity, restoring values and preparing individuals to return to society as responsible citizens,”
He noted that many were victims of coercion: “Some were abducted, others were forced, and many were drawn into the conflict due to circumstances beyond their control. But today marks a turning point,” and added: “From this moment, they have the opportunity to reclaim their identity, rebuild their lives and pursue a future defined not by conflict but by purpose, responsibility and national development,”
He also stressed shared responsibility for reintegration.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Yahaya, represented by Ambassador Yusuf Musa, urged the graduates to embrace the opportunity, saying it reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to peace building and reintegration, adding: “You’ve been given a second chance, do not take it for granted. Go forward and become responsible, law-abiding, and productive citizens who will contribute positively to your community and the nation at large. Do not betray the trust that Nigeria has placed in you.”
