GOMBE, Nigeria – The Nigerian military has confirmed that more than 700 repentant Boko Haram fighters have completed rehabilitation under the Operation Safe Corridor programme and are now set for reintegration into society.
The announcement was made by Yusuf Ali, coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) camp in Gombe State. He explained that the participants had gone through counselling, vocational training, education, and ideological reorientation before being cleared for reintegration.
Ali said the exercise is part of a broader government effort to reduce insurgency by encouraging fighters from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province to surrender. He also dismissed claims that the rehabilitated fighters would be recruited into the military, stressing that the programme is strictly for reintegration into civilian life. According to him, the process is done alongside state governments, security agencies, and community leaders to ensure monitoring after release.
“The programme focuses on deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant insurgents who voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian military,” he said.
He further added that the over 700 participants are expected to graduate soon and return to their communities.
“The programme focuses on deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant insurgents who voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian military,” he said.
Despite government explanations, the development has sparked strong reactions across social media, with many Nigerians expressing anger, pain, and concern over justice for victims of the insurgency.
One user, @Agboemmanuel5, wrote: “Another ashoebi day. Tell me why others will not want to join and enjoy the same VIP treatment?
See, any day this country is ready to fight insecurity we will know. For now, let them keep deceiving themselves”
Another user, Paul Ehiaguina (@i_ampaul_), reacted: “This country is fucked!!!
Terrorists can be integrated into society but fraudsters should be arrested!!!
This country is a joke!!
The president is a joke!!
All of them are clowns!!!”
John Forteta (@FortetaJoh46526) expressed pain over victims, saying: “There are families who will never see their loved ones again.
Children growing up without parents.
Communities wiped out. And today, the government says 700 terrorists are ready to ‘rejoin society.’
It’s like rubbing salt inside wounds that never healed.”
TopG (@G1110896G) wrote: “Just imagine 700 ex Boko haram members plus the current ones way Dey give us sleepless night and them never plan to release Nnamdi Kanu we are finished in this country 
”
HenryBG14 (@Bg14Henry) questioned the rehabilitation process: “Does anyone here look repented or remorseful? People the army supposed to have wiped out, people who have killed millions ,and still killing ,there still the ones to share the info to there brothers on how to attack more.”
Ifeanyichukwu (@BIAFRAMUSTCOM) compared justice outcomes, saying: “But those who killed just one person—the ordinary, innocent people of Nigeria 
—are still dying in cells and prisons, while Boko Haram fighters who destroyed entire communities are being pardoned 
”
Stephen Nweme (@stnweme) also reacted: “The govt doesn’t seem to care much about how the families of their victims will feel. Some soldiers even lost their lives fghting them but eventually they’re being ‘reintegrated’ into the society, just like that. The victims?”
Oluwafemi Bada (@FemBada) simply asked: “What happens to the victims?”
Stiles (@thaavon) said: “It’s hard to accept this. You can’t talk about reintegration without first showing real accountability and support for the people who suffered.”
VICTOR OKIKIOLA (@iamvickynation) said: “APC government is obviously a terrorist organization because how could this happen when these raw neega have been kpaiing Nigerians for the longest
They are coming back to the streets again, we are finished!”
Finally, SimplyMuba (@ItsMubashiraEsq) asked: “I hope the government is going to reintegrate the victims too? Shame!”
The debate continues as authorities insist that rehabilitation is part of efforts to weaken insurgent groups, while many Nigerians remain deeply divided over the decision and its implications for victims and national security.
