DHQ: 300,000 Terrorists Surrendered, 2,615 Reformed, Reintegrated in Nine Years

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that more than 300,000 terrorists surrendered to the superior firepower of the Armed Forces of Nigeria between 2016 and 2025.

The military further disclosed that, of this number, 2,615 ex-combatants successfully graduated from the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) programme, initiated by the Federal Government for deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Speaking to THISDAY in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of OPSC, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, explained that although the surrendered number included women and children, these groups are not admitted into the programme.

“2,615 clients have so far graduated through OPSC. This is out of more than 300,000 who have surrendered, including women and children,” General Ali stated. 

He clarified that women and children are handed over to their respective states of origin for rehabilitation. 

“OPSC does not admit women and children; they are usually catered for by their state governments with assistance from UNICEF,” he added.

Addressing public concerns regarding due diligence, monitoring, and other safeguards, Ali said: “Operation Safe Corridor is not static; it continuously evolves in response to the changing security environment and realities across different theatres of operation in Nigeria. We are strengthening the programme along several critical lines.”

He acknowledged the challenges inherent in similar initiatives globally, particularly in active conflict environments.

“Community acceptance and balancing victim support with reintegration remain areas of focus. That is why we are evolving the programme to include stronger community engagement and victim-centred interventions,” he stated.

The National Coordinator had earlier identified National Identification Number (NIN) registration as a key mechanism to monitor ex-combatants’ conduct after graduation from the six-month intensive Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme.

The multi-agency initiative is designed to encourage the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents and reintegrate them into society, focusing on low-risk fighters often coerced into recruitment or abducted.