In a significant move to accelerate the peace process in Nigeria’s North-East, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered a substantial consignment of relief materials to the military authorities overseeing Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe. This initiative targets the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of 800 former Boko Haram fighters who voluntarily surrendered their arms in a bid to embrace peace and rejoin society.
The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, who presented the items, emphasised that the intervention is in line with international best practices. He noted that the programme provides a structured pathway for ex-combatants to abandon violence and undergo comprehensive rehabilitation, thus contributing meaningfully to the ongoing quest for lasting peace in the region.
The relief package is both extensive and carefully curated to meet the immediate needs of the beneficiaries. It includes 410 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans, 200 bags each of millet and sorghum, 750 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of Maggi seasoning cubes, and 810 cartons of tomato paste. Additional food support consists of 101 kegs of vegetable oil, 101 kegs of palm oil (each 20 litres), 50 bags of salt, 100 bags of sugar, 420 cartons of milk, and 420 cartons of Milo chocolate drink. These items are scheduled for quarterly distribution to ensure sustained support throughout the rehabilitation process.
Beyond food, the non-food items provided are equally comprehensive: 800 mattresses, 500 blankets, 500 nylon mats, 1,000 each of plastic buckets, spoons, cups, plates, and pairs of slippers, 2,000 sets of men’s clothing, 63 cartons of bathing soap, and 1,000 bath towels. This robust support package is designed to restore dignity, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to the repentant ex-combatants as they transition back into civilian life.
Receiving the items, Brigadier-General BM Shafa, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, expressed optimism that the initiative would fast-track peace and stability in the North-East. He revealed that between September of the previous year and February, a significant number of Boko Haram members had surrendered, signalling a growing willingness among insurgents to embrace reconciliation. He also acknowledged the vital support of the Gombe State Government in providing the necessary facilities for the programme’s success.
Operation Safe Corridor is a multi-agency effort, with 11 federal government agencies directly involved in its execution. The programme underscores Nigeria’s commitment to adopting holistic strategies that address the root causes of insurgency, foster reconciliation, and rebuild communities devastated by years of conflict.
With NEMA’s continued support, there is renewed hope that the cycle of violence in the North-East can be broken, paving the way for sustainable peace and development in the region.
