The Nigerian military is planning to release 381 rehabilitated ex-terrorists in March 2025.
The military has urged state governments to support their reintegration with monitoring and empowerment programmes, News About Nigeria reports.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by Air Vice Marshal Shayi Olatunde, stated that 789 former combatants are undergoing rehabilitation, with 381 set to complete the process next year.
Musa called on state governments to take an active role in reintegration by providing security measures to track the individuals.
He disclosed that each graduate would receive personal items and startup support to help them rebuild their lives.
Musa said, “I, therefore, say that conforming law with localities ensures the proper integration of the first of two parties, consisting of 381 clients.
“It is also important to mention that upon graduation from this scheme, each client will be provided with some personal items as well as start-up pacts based on the three acquired, including their families.
“This is to enable them to set up small businesses and start a new life. Accordingly, I urge benefiting state governments to facilitate the seamless re-integration of the ex-combatants by providing additional support to ease the transitional process.”
Brig. Gen. Y. Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, reported that since 2016, 2,190 former terrorists, including 27 foreign nationals, have completed the program.
Between July and November 2024, 825 new participants, including 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, joined the rehabilitation camp.
Ali also noted that 22 individuals requiring further psychological assessment were referred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri.
He explained that the meeting was aimed at finalizing strategies for their smooth transfer to state and national authorities upon graduation.
