No less than 22 former Boko Haram and ISWAP members have completed the Federal Government’s de-radicalization and rehabilitation course.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at Operation Safe Corridor in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State.
The initiative, launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2016, tries to persuade members of insurgency and terrorist groups to surrender.
Since its beginning, the effort has rehabilitated 2,168 people. Its goal is to provide a non-kinetic method to addressing regional security concerns.
During the ceremony, the graduates swore an oath of allegiance to the Nigerian state and were awarded with certificates and starter packs to help them on their journey to self-sufficiency.
Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, represented by Major General Mohammed Ahmed, corrected misconceptions about the operation, indicating that the procedures would be revised.
“The operation is a major arm of the military’s non-kinetic offensive against insecurity in the North-East region.
“None of the graduates were linked to terrorism after their graduation. It will be unfortunate for them to be stigmatized and discriminated,” Musa stated.
Musa, while addressing concerns about the programme being a means to reintroduce terrorists into society, assured that the armed forces under his watch will not allow such unfounded imagination to happen.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, represented by Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, urged the de-radicalized individuals to become advocates of peace and responsible citizens.
He stated the seriousness of security matters and highlighted the state’s commitment to internal security and home affairs.
Muhammad Alkali, who spoke on behalf of the de-radicalized members, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for providing them with a second chance.
Alkali pledged, “On behalf of my colleagues, we promise to be good citizens, to use what we learned.”