Rehabilitation Programme For Repentant Terrorists Currently Under Review — DHQ

 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says it is currently reviewing its programme for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists in line with current realities on ground.

This is coming after it revealed that the military assistance being provided by the United States government to Nigeria was at no cost and did not in any way undermine the country’s sovereignty.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, while addressing newsmen during a briefing on ongoing military operations in Nigeria, acknowledged concerns raised by members of the public over the Federal Government’s de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme for surrendered insurgents.

Onoja explained that the programme is currently under review as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy programme.

He added that while the initiative recorded significant success at inception, challenges had emerged over time.

 “Operation Safe Corridor, as you all know, was the Defence Headquarters’ policy in conjunction with the Borno State Government and relevant federal ministries to find a way to de-radicalise some of the elements who surrendered.

“For a period of time, that system achieved some significant success. As with everything, any human activity has some point of challenges. We do not deny that there are challenges, and we also acknowledge that there is a need for a review. In the laws of war, at the end of the day, the Boko Haram fighters are still considered Nigerians. They may have erred, and they will definitely account for whatever they have done. But if we have the opportunity to rehabilitate them, are we saying we should not.

“We are also as concerned as you and other members of the public. We have heard a lot of things the public is saying. I can assure you that the review will be done and you will hear our new operational directives for Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

Onoja also addressed concerns over state-level peace initiatives with terrorists, noting that while governors have powers to adopt security measures within their states, such actions must align with federal directives.

“Some states have the rights and the powers to take every action that will secure their states. However, I can tell you confidently that they will not be able to do that without the authorisation of the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.

According to him, the Armed Forces remained aligned with federal government policies.

“For us in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, any federal government policy, we are in line with it. And I’m sure that’s why you saw our troops also supervising those peace deals. So if the governor of a state has decided that that’s what he wants to do, of course, based on his own assessment of the security situation in the state, we will always support him. We don’t have any argument against it,” he said.