Over 300 ‘Repentant’ Terrorists Undergoing Rehabilitation In Gombe – FG

Not fewer than More 300 repentant terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation at a federal facility in Gombe State,

Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a high-level stakeholders’ and donors’ meeting.

“Operation Safe Corridor, a deradicalisation rehabilitation and reintegration programme in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, has so far graduated over 2600 low-risk former combatants, providing them with psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance.

“Currently, there are over 300 clients in the camp undergoing the process,” Laka stated.

He added, “Furthermore, a growing number of terrorists and bandits are now expressing willingness to surrender in the North West and North Central regions. Efforts are currently underway to design and implement similar Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration programmes tailored to these regions in North West Nigeria.”

Laka, however, warned that economic uncertainty after reintegration could reverse the programme’s progress.

“However, one of the key lessons from previous Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration experiences is the urgent need for sustainable economic reintegration pathways. Many former clients face uncertainty and limited opportunities once reintegrated, which can threaten the gains of the rehabilitation process.”

He announced the launch of a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

“The new project will provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market linkages for former clients of the federal government’s disarmament, deradicalisation, and reintegration programme, as well as widows and members of conflict-affected communities,” Laka said.

He stressed the importance of economic empowerment in sustaining peace. “Strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies.”

IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Abdoulaye Tahirau, also spoke at the event. He described the new initiative, Seeds For Hope, as “a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery,” adding that it would enhance agricultural productivity and resilience among beneficiaries.