BY FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
Operation Safe Corridor program of the Nigerian Military has successfully reintegrated 280 ex militants including 2 nationals from Chad back into the society. This according to the Coordinator Defence media Operations (DMO), MAJ GEN JOHN ENENCHE.
Speaking during a media parley on Thursday, ENENCHE stated that since the inception of the program in 2016, about 893 ex-combatants has been admitted into the program.
He however noted that currently there are about 603 of the ex-militants undergoing the DRR program and are set to graduate by July 2020.
According to MAJ GEN ENENCHE “The concept of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) is that of a unique non-kinetic operation aimed at giving hope to ex-combatants who willingly give up their arms to embrace peace. It is a Defence Headquarters (DHQ)-led multi-agency humanitarian effort based on De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-Integration (DRR) of ex-combatant Boko Haram members that willingly surrender, which was established in September 2015 and became operational in 2016” he stated.
“Operation SAFE CORRIDOR (OPSC) is guided by among other provisions such as International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws. It is being administered by 468 staff drawn from 17 organizations including the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Law Enforcement and Security Agencies, other Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including North East Development Commission (NEDC) as well as locals from Gombe, where the DRR camp is located.
“The scheme also enjoys widespread collaboration and support of local and international NGOs. The key implementation partners are:
a. United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
b. International Organization for Migration (IOM).
c. United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
d. Department For International Development (DFID).
e. Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
f. North-East Regional Initiative (NERI).
Speaking further, the DMO Coordinator said: “Deradicalization is the first stage of the programme after medical screening including taking of DNA sample is conducted. It covers; psychotherapy, psycho-spiritual counselling, drug abuse intervention, art therapy, sports/recreation and introduction to western education to counter the BHT ideology.
Speaking on the rehabilitation format of the Operation safe corridor program, MAJ GEN ENENCHE said: “The rehabilitation package of the programme include; training in barbing, carpentry, cosmetology, farming, leatherworks, shoe making, tailoring and welding. They will be issued with starter packs (basic tools) and provided with take-off funds.
“Reintegration aspect of the DRR programme is the most delicate and longest phase that lasts beyond the camp. It entails transitional justice initiative involving family linkage with the assistance of IOM and UNICEF among others. Administration of Oath of Allegiance is also conducted at this stage. The panel is headed by a judge of the Federal High Court with members drawn for relevant agencies.
According to ENENCHE the Operation Safe Corridor Program of the Nigerian Military strictly adheres to international best practices.
“Gleaning from the concept and conduct of Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, it is not a process of assembling raw repentant ex-combatants to inject back into the society by the Military. Rather, it is an international best practice for conflict management backed by relevant laws with the concurrence of key stakeholders such as international organizations and MDAs among others.
Enumerating some of the success stories of the program, MAJ GEN ENENCHE said: “Since its inception in 2016, OPSC has admitted 893 ex-combatants for the Programme out of which 280 including 2 Chadians have been successfully reintegrated back into the society through their respective national and state authorities. Presently, there are 603 of them undergoing the DRR Programme and would be graduating by July 2020. The Operation is a success story as feedbacks from those reintegrated are positive. A particular one in Bama who learnt barbing as a vocation has successfully empowered 4 locals and is happily married with children”, he concluded.
