The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that more than 300 repentant terrorists are currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of its non-kinetic approach to counterterrorism.
Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja during a high-level meeting with stakeholders and donors. The gathering focused on promoting livelihood and agricultural opportunities for ex-combatants and conflict-affected communities.
Laka explained that this effort is part of the government’s ongoing deradicalisation and reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor. To date, over 2,600 former fighters have completed rehabilitation at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State.
“The 300 individuals currently undergoing rehabilitation voluntarily surrendered in recent months, primarily from the North-West and North-Central regions,” Laka said. He noted that Operation Safe Corridor provides psychosocial support, vocational training, and reintegration assistance for low-risk former combatants.
The NCTC coordinator added that increasing numbers of terrorists and bandits in the North West and North Central areas are now expressing willingness to surrender. Plans are underway to develop similar disarmament, deradicalisation, and reintegration (DDR) programmes tailored to those regions.
However, Laka warned that many repentant terrorists face limited economic opportunities after rehabilitation, which could jeopardize the programme’s success. “Sustainable economic reintegration is urgent. Without viable pathways, former clients risk relapse due to uncertainty and lack of opportunities,” he said.
To address this challenge, the government has launched a new agribusiness and livelihood initiative in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The programme, called Seeds for Hope, aims to promote sustainable reintegration by offering access to land, farming inputs, training, mentorship, and market linkages.
“This initiative targets not only repentant terrorists but also widows and members of conflict-affected communities,” Laka explained, noting that six states have already expressed interest in hosting the project.
Dr. Abdoulaye Tahirau, IITA’s Deputy Director-General, described Seeds for Hope as a critical pathway toward inclusive peace and recovery by enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience among vulnerable groups.
The Federal Government’s integrated approach combining rehabilitation with economic empowerment reflects its commitment to long-term peacebuilding and counterterrorism.
