Over 300 repentant terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation at a federal facility in Gombe State, as part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government to reintegrate ex-combatants through non-military approaches.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu Laka, disclosed this on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders and donors meeting in Abuja.
He explained that the ongoing programme—Operation Safe Corridor—based in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, has so far graduated more than 2,600 low-risk former insurgents. The initiative provides psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance to facilitate their return to society.
“Currently, there are over 300 clients in the camp undergoing the process,” Laka said.
He also revealed that a growing number of terrorists and bandits in the North-West and North-Central regions are showing willingness to surrender. In response, the government is working to develop tailored Disarmament, Deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDR) programmes for these regions.
Laka, however, cautioned that the success of the initiative could be undermined by economic hardship following reintegration.
“One of the key lessons from previous DDR 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 warned.
To address this, he announced the launch of a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
“The project will provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship, and market linkages for former clients of the DDR programme, as well as widows and members of conflict-affected communities,” he stated.
Laka emphasised that economic empowerment is vital for sustaining peace and preventing extremist ideologies from resurfacing. “Strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Abdoulaye Tahirau, described the new initiative, Seeds for Hope, as “a pathway to inclusive peace and recovery,” adding that it aims to boost agricultural productivity and resilience among beneficiaries.