The Defence Headquarters has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s deradicalisation and reintegration framework as stakeholders met in Abuja to finalise modalities for the transfer of rehabilitated clients under Operation SAFE CORRIDOR (OPSC).
The high-level meeting, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, brought together representatives of federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, state governments, neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, as well as international partners such as Norway, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chairman of the OPSC National Steering Committee, General Olufemi Oluyede, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdusalam, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to peacebuilding and national recovery.
He described Operation SAFE CORRIDOR as a critical component of Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that while kinetic military operations create space for stabilisation, structured rehabilitation and reintegration help consolidate gains and prevent the resurgence of violence.
Since its establishment in 2016, the programme has processed thousands of clients through a controlled Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) framework.
According to the CDS, properly coordinated surrender pathways weaken insurgent cohesion, generate actionable intelligence and promote long-term stability.
In his welcome remarks, the Coordinator of Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, Brigadier General Y. Ali, commended the CDS for sustained leadership and institutional support, stating that the programme’s growth is anchored on enhanced jointness, improved welfare and sound administration under a whole-of-government framework.
He described OPSC as a multi-agency humanitarian stabilisation initiative backed by the Constitution and relevant international humanitarian and human rights instruments, drawing personnel from 17 services, ministries, departments and agencies.
Providing operational updates, Brig Gen Ali disclosed that 117 clients from Borno State have successfully completed the DRR process at Mallam Sidi Camp, reflecting improved federal and state coordination in reception, monitoring and community reintegration.
He also announced the expansion of the programme to the North West, where a DRR camp established last year marked a significant stabilisation milestone.
Ongoing engagements with Zamfara State, he said, are aimed at transforming the facility into a comprehensive Victim Healing, Rehabilitation and Reintegration framework, integrating psychosocial recovery, community reconciliation, livelihood support and structured monitoring.
In the North Central region, Benue State has formally requested the establishment of a DRR camp. Defence Headquarters has assessed proposed sites and advised alignment with national infrastructure, security and sustainability standards before approval.
Stakeholders at the meeting reviewed updates on camp activities and deliberated on clarifying the roles of state authorities and relevant MDAs, structured resettlement support frameworks, community sensitisation strategies and timelines for graduation of rehabilitated clients.
The engagement underscored Nigeria’s resolve to consolidate security gains through coordinated rehabilitation and reintegration efforts nationwide.
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