Villages in Nigeria's North-East are slowly rebuilding years after violence emptied them, with markets reopening and displaced families returning. In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, communities are being asked to reintegrate former insurgents who have gone through the federal government's Operation Safe Corridor programme. A traditional leader in Borno, speaking anonymously, said community leaders are actively promoting reconciliation and forgiveness, though fear persists. "We are playing a crucial role in supporting the reintegration of former insurgents and promoting peaceful coexistence," he said, adding, "We still worry that if they are not properly coordinated, some may return to the bush."
Operation Safe Corridor targets low-risk former insurgents who surrender voluntarily. Agha Omaka, Programmes Officer for the initiative, explained that surrender is the first legal step, followed by screening by military and civilian intelligence. Identities, levels of involvement, and security risks are assessed before eligibility is determined by the Federal Ministry of Justice. Those cleared enter rehabilitation, which includes psychosocial support, counselling, vocational training, and religious reorientation. "Participants are later handed over to state governments for reintegration into communities," Omaka said. "They are not simply released. Reintegration is gradual and involves state authorities, traditional institutions, community structures and monitoring frameworks."
Dengiyefa Angalapu, a research analyst at the Centre for Democracy and Development, said public perception is clouded by misinformation. "One common misconception is that the military is recruiting ex-combatants into the Nigerian Army; that is virtually impossible considering the layers of recruitment screening and community attestation required," he said. Another false belief, he added, is that the programme favours perpetrators over victims. Dr Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, called the initiative a necessary complement to military action, saying, "Once individuals begin to believe there is a lawful alternative to remaining in the bush, it reduces the aura of permanence around extremist groups." He stressed that deradicalisation is only one phase of a longer process.
The Federal Ministry of Justice clears former insurgents for reintegration while communities bear the burden of trust without guaranteed safety outcomes. A traditional leader in Borno admits fear that poorly coordinated returnees may return to the bush, exposing a gap between policy design and lived reality. Nigerians in affected areas are expected to forgive and absorb those who once terrorised them, with no mention of parallel support structures for victims. The programme's success hinges not on facilities or screening, but on whether peace can grow in soil still soaked with suspicion.
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