The Borno state government has demonstrated its commitment to peace-building and reintegration by honouring the graduation ceremony of Batches 6 and 7 of the 2024 repentant clients.
The event took place at the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) camp of the Operation Safe Corridor, located in Malam Sidi in Kwami local government area of Gombe state.
A total of 390 militants who previously engaged in violent insurgency surrendered to the Nigerian Army and enrolled in the DRR programme. After months of deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and vocational training, these clients graduated and are now set to be reintegrated into society through the Borno faculty for reception and community transition.
The Borno state government was represented by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo who received the 230 “processed” repentant clients who are indigenes of Borno state. They all expressed sincere regrets for their past involvement with Boko Haram insurgency that ws done mostly under duress/abductions, and pledged to embrace peaceful and productive lives.
The graduation ceremony witnessed the presence of dignitaries and representatives from various levels of government and security agencies.
This included officials from the Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kano. Katsina, Osun Akwa Ibom, Bauchi and Kogi State Governments; representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff; the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Department of State Services (DSS).