The Defence Headquarters has officially launched Operation Safe Corridor in Nigeria’s North-West region, with its operational headquarters located in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
The initiative aims to tackle insecurity by providing a structured process for rehabilitating and reintegrating former terrorists who voluntarily surrender their weapons.
Governor Dauda Lawal, during the handover of office facilities for the operation’s headquarters, reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for security measures aimed at curbing criminal activities in the state and beyond.
Operation Safe Corridor is a specialized military programme designed to offer a pathway for former insurgents and bandits to reintegrate into society. The programme operates based on five key pillars: Disarmament, Demobilization, De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration.
This initiative, previously implemented in the North-East to rehabilitate Boko Haram defectors, is now being expanded to address the security crisis in North-Western states like Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna.
In his remarks at the event, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, emphasized the importance of rehabilitation as a critical tool in combating terrorism and banditry.
He noted that Operation Safe Corridor would offer a sustainable solution to reduce the ranks of armed criminal groups through peaceful means.
Ambassador Mairo Abbas, representing National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, urged state governments to create specialized centres for the families of repentant bandits, including women and children, to be de-radicalized and rehabilitated.
Abbas highlighted the need to address the radicalization of these individuals who have been exposed to criminal activities through their associations with armed groups.
Governor Lawal, in his keynote address, acknowledged the potential benefits of Operation Safe Corridor. He made it clear that while his administration will not engage in dialogue or negotiations with terrorist groups, it remains open to accepting any bandit who chooses to surrender their arms unconditionally.
The establishment of Operation Safe Corridor in the North-West is expected to complement ongoing military operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
With the programme now officially launched, security stakeholders are optimistic that the initiative will help reduce violence, rehabilitate former fighters, and reintegrate them into society, ultimately fostering long-term peace and security in the region.
