The Yobe State Government has announced plans to receive and reintegrate 54 repentant Boko Haram members who are indigenes of the state, following their completion of a six-month deradicalisation programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his Deputy, made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, ahead of the upcoming graduation of 390 ex-fighters from the programme.
Governor Buni said the initiative aligns with the state’s efforts to promote peace and stability, using non-kinetic approaches to curb extremism and rehabilitate former insurgents.
“I am confident that with our collective and sustained efforts, they would be salvaged from the wrong path. Through this approach, they may repent and open a new, positive chapter in their lives to become responsible citizens once again,” Buni stated.
He disclosed that out of the 390 individuals graduating from the programme, 54 are natives of Yobe State. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting security agencies and rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace.
Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, explained that the programme is a specialised military initiative designed to provide a pathway for repentant insurgents and bandits to rejoin society as law-abiding citizens.
He called for continued collaboration and support from the state government to ensure the successful reintegration of the rehabilitated individuals.
The Yobe government’s move comes amid ongoing efforts across the North-East to rebuild communities affected by over a decade of insurgency and to prevent the recurrence of violent extremism.
