Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri January 19, 2020
The Nigerian Army Commandant; Operation Safe Corridor (OSC), Brig-Gen. Musa Ibrahim has said that 608 Boko Haram repentant are undergoing de-radicalisation and rehabilitation for integration into society. According to him, the Malam/Sidi rehabilitation and training centre is run by Army’s safe corridor in Gombe state. Ibrahim disclosed this Saturday, while briefing the Managing Director of North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Alkali on training center’s de-radicalisation programme for repentant Boko Haram terrorists. He said that 14 of the repentant insurgents were nationals of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. “From inception of OSC; we received 893 Boko Haram repentant.
Out of these; 286 graduated and were returned to their respective states and countries for reintegration into societies,” he said. He said that the training camp personnel are working with safe corridor mandate to conform to international best practices. According to him, the de-radicalisation programme; will go a long way in restoring peace and security to Northeast region and the nation. On camp’s logistical needs, he said: “This de-radicalisation programmes; requires was in need of five Hilux vans. “We also need an additional vocational center and accommodation for camp staff and clients,” adding there should be prompt release of funds to provide electricity to the camp.
In his brief response, Alkali said that the commission will do everything humanly possible with the success already recorded in de-radicalisation of Boko Haram repentant. He said NEDC would do everything possible to ensure that the programme succeeds; by providing them with required facilities and logistics in camp. “Mr. President established OSC and commission with the mandate to ensure peace in the region and restore livelihoods of people affected by decade long insurgency.” He therefore, urged unrepentant insurgents who were still in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region causing mayhem to come and embrace peace.
