The Defence Headquarters has announced that a total of 603 repentant Boko Haram fighters will be reintegrated into their communities in July after completing the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme.
Speaking during a media briefing on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday, June 11, 2020, DHQ spokesperson, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this information. In addition, the military has successfully reintegrated 280 former Boko Haram terrorists, including 2 Chadians, back into the society through their respective national and state authorities.
Elaborating on the operation, Director of Defence Media Organization (DMO) Major General John Enenche stated that Operation Safe Corridor, established in 2016, has admitted a total of 893 ex Boko Haram fighters.
Enenche highlighted the success of the Operation, stating, “Feedbacks from those reintegrated are positive. A particular case in Bama saw an individual who learned barbing as a vocation, successfully empowering four locals and leading a happy married life with children.”
Furthermore, Enenche outlined the processes involved in the reintegration program, starting from de-radicalization as the first stage after medical screening, including the taking of DNA samples. Other processes include psychotherapy, psycho-spiritual counseling, drug abuse intervention, art therapy, sports/recreation, and introduction to western education to counter the BHT ideology.