The Defence Headquarters, in collaboration with Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to finalise arrangements for the transfer of rehabilitated clients to national and state authorities for reintegration.
In a statement signed by Director, Defence Information Major General Samaila Uba, the meeting, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, brought together representatives of federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, state governments and neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. International partners in attendance included the European Union, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration, among others.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the OPSC National Steering Committee, Olufemi Oluyede, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdusalam, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to peacebuilding and national recovery.
He described Operation Safe Corridor as a key component of Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that while kinetic military operations create conditions for stabilisation, structured rehabilitation and reintegration are essential to consolidating those gains and preventing a relapse into violence.
“Since its inception in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor has processed thousands of clients under a controlled and integrity-driven Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration framework. When properly screened and coordinated, surrender pathways weaken insurgent cohesion, yield actionable intelligence and support long-term stability,” the CDS stated.
In his welcome address, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Y. Ali, commended the CDS for sustained leadership and institutional backing, noting that the programme’s expansion aligns with the armed forces’ philosophy of enhanced jointness, improved welfare and sound administration within a comprehensive national framework.
He described OPSC as a multi-agency humanitarian stabilisation initiative grounded in constitutional and international humanitarian principles, drawing personnel from 17 services, ministries, departments and agencies. According to him, the programme has evolved to strengthen screening processes, refine ideological disengagement modules, improve psychosocial recovery systems and enhance inter-agency coordination, while maintaining strict standards of accountability and behavioural reform.
Providing operational updates, Brig Gen Ali disclosed that 117 clients from Borno State recently completed the DRR process at Mallam Sidi Camp, reflecting improved federal–state coordination in reception, monitoring and community reintegration.
He also highlighted the programme’s expansion to the North-West, where a DRR camp established in February last year has marked a significant stabilisation milestone. Engagements with Zamfara State are ongoing to reposition the facility towards a broader Victim Healing, Rehabilitation and Reintegration framework, integrating psychosocial support, reconciliation, livelihood assistance and structured monitoring.
In the North-Central region, he revealed that Benue State has formally requested the establishment of a DRR camp. Defence Headquarters has since assessed proposed locations and advised alignment with national infrastructure, security and sustainability benchmarks before approval.
The coordinator said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to clarify the roles of state authorities and relevant agencies, define structured resettlement support mechanisms, determine modalities for community sensitisation and camp visitation, and ratify timelines for client graduation.
The session featured updates on de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration activities, as well as participant briefings and closing formalities. Officials said the engagement underscores Nigeria’s resolve to consolidate security gains through coordinated and structured reintegration efforts nationwide.
