The Nigerian Government is concluding arrangements for the release of 606 Repented Boko Haram Members presently undergoing De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme in Gombe State. Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olanisakin disclosed this at a Stakeholders meeting held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Marshal Nurudeen Balogun, the defence chief who highlighted some of the giant strides recorded by the Nigerian armed forces in the fight against terrorism said over 1000 high profile Boko Haram Terrorists and Islamic States of West African Provinces members have been captured, arrested and investigated of which 500 have been convicted by court of competent jurisdiction. He said the decision by the Federal Government to approve the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor was informed by need to create opportunities for repentant terrorists to lay down their arms under the DRR programme. Earlier in his remarks, the coordinator of the Operation Safe Corridor programme, Major General Bamilede Shafa threw more light on the workings of the programme. The repentant Ex Boko Haram members are expected to be released to their states and countries of origin at the end of the ongoing DRR programme on Sunday June 28,2020.
