Repentant Boko Haram Fighters No Longer Threats – Sokoto Govt

The Sokoto State government has said 390 former Boko Haram fighters who recently completed the federal government’s Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme no longer pose a security threat to the country.

The Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Colonel Ahmed Usman (rtd), gave the assurance on Thursday.

Col. Usman called on the state government to strengthen support mechanisms that will complement military efforts in ongoing counterinsurgency operations. emphasizing the need for a robust reintegration strategy to ensure the successful return of these repentant insurgents into society.

“These individuals have undergone intensive psychological counseling, vocational training, and civic education, they have acquired skills in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, welding, agriculture, and shoemaking. They are ready to contribute meaningfully to society.”

Col. Usman stressed that the long-term success of the DRR programme hinges on community acceptance and urged local authorities, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations to collaborate with the state government in developing sustainable reintegration frameworks.

Adding that Peace is not achieved by weapons alone and calls for the need to embrace inclusive strategies that foster trust, rebuild livelihoods, and give these individuals a second chance, according to him, reintegration is a shared responsibility.

Initiated in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor’s DRR programme is a key component of the Nigerian military’s non-kinetic approach to combating insurgency, offering a path back to civilian life for repentant fighters and encouraging defections from violent extremist groups.

He highlighted the importance of community sensitization and economic empowerment to prevent recidivism and promote lasting peace. With the right support, he said, the reintegrated ex-combatants can become productive citizens, contributing to the social and economic growth of the country.

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Repentant Boko Haram Fighters No Longer Threats – Sokoto Govt is first published on The Whistler Newspaper