DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS LAUNCHES OPERATION SAFE CORRIDOR IN NORTH-WEST TO REHABILITATE REPENTANT TERRORISTS AND BANDITS

Combo photo of the Defence Headquarters building and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

…As Zamfara State Government Pledges Support For Initiative

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The Defence Headquarters has officially launched Operation Safe Corridor in the North-Western zone of Nigeria, as part of efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant terrorists who voluntarily surrender their arms.

The operation, which has its headquarters in Tsafe, Zamfara State, is designed to provide a structured process for rehabilitating and reintegrating former insurgents and bandits who are willing to abandon their violent ways.

Operation Safe Corridor is a specialized military initiative that is structured around five key components: Disarmament, Demobilization, De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration. The programme has been successfully implemented in the North-East zone, targeting Boko Haram defectors, and is now being expanded to the North-West to address the ongoing security crisis in states like Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna.

FILE PHOTO: Troops are seen in a clearance operation in Katsina State.

Speaking at the launch of the operation, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stressed the significance of the initiative in curbing terrorism and banditry through rehabilitation. Gen. Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations at Defence Headquarters, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, noted that the operation is a critical component of the military’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-West.

Some of the arms and ammunition surrendered by repentant bandits

Also speaking at the event, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security efforts in the state. Gov. Lawal maintained that his administration would not engage in any form of dialogue or negotiation with terrorist groups, but emphasized that his government is open to accepting any bandit willing to surrender their arms unconditionally.

The launch of Operation Safe Corridor in the North-West is expected to complement ongoing military operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. Security stakeholders are hopeful that the programme will help reduce violence and reintegrate ex-fighters who are ready to abandon criminality.

The Defence Headquarters has assured that the operation will be implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including state governments, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations.

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