The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that 800 former Boko Haram fighters who surrendered to the military are currently undergoing deradicalization as part of efforts to reintegrate them into society.
Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Operations, disclosed this on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ programme.
He stated that 129,000 Boko Haram fighters and their families have been taken into custody, only 800 have been carefully selected for the rehabilitation initiative under ‘Operation Safe Corridor.’
Clarifying the process, Onumajuru said, “To be precise, about 129,000 Boko Haram members and their families have surrendered.
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“As a professional army, when an opponent surrenders, we take them in and allow the legal system to follow due process. Some are held in detention facilities, including Kainji, while a special court reviews their cases.
“Those found guilty face legal consequences, while those deemed eligible undergo deradicalization, which typically lasts about a year.”
Addressing concerns about whether a year is sufficient to fully reintegrate former terrorists, he affirmed, “It is possible because the deradicalization process is handled by professionals.
“The number undergoing the programme is not overwhelming—only about 800 are currently participating in batches after thorough legal screening.”
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Onumajuru emphasised that both kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (rehabilitation) strategies are essential for Nigeria to overcome insurgency.
He said deradicalization through ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ is part of the non-kinetic approach, noting that an asymmetrical war with military force can’t be won alone.
