Abuja, Nigeria – In a decisive effort to combat terrorism and prevent the resurgence of extremist ideologies, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that the military, in collaboration with the federal government and international partners, has launched Operation Safe Corridor and other non-kinetic initiatives to rehabilitate 60,000 children born to Boko Haram terrorists.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising representatives from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—Gen. Musa emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to terrorism across the Sahel.
He disclosed that since 2023, over 120,000 terrorists and their families have surrendered, including 60,000 children at risk of becoming future extremists if left in violent environments.
“The terrorists were reproducing children who would take over from them. These children were born into violence, and if they remained in that environment, they would grow into more violent individuals,” Gen. Musa stated.
To address this, Nigeria has established Safe Camps for surrendered terrorists and their families, removing vulnerable children from extremist influences and integrating them into deradicalization programs.
Gen. Musa also highlighted the role of religious and traditional leaders in encouraging fighters to surrender, countering fears that they would be executed. He called on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to strengthen border security and tackle insurgency through good governance, justice, and economic inclusion.
“When good governance, fairness, and justice are missing, terrorism thrives. Poverty and illiteracy must be tackled, and correctional centers should rehabilitate, not harden criminals,” he warned.
The CDS further identified illegal mining and kidnapping as key funding sources for terrorist groups, stressing the importance of regional cooperation in dismantling these networks.
At the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships. He noted that collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic under the Lake Chad Basin Commission had led to major victories against Boko Haram through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
“Cooperation allows us to share intelligence, resources, and expertise. Terrorism is a complex challenge requiring innovative and collective solutions,” Laka stated.
Aliyu Gebi, Coordinator of the Fusion Center for Dialogue and Peace Processes, acknowledged that while military action had significantly weakened Boko Haram, long-term peace required non-kinetic strategies.
“We have won the war against terrorism, but we have not won the peace. To do that, we need regional collaboration and centers of excellence to sustain counterterrorism efforts,” Gebi said.
With these ongoing efforts, Nigeria aims to disrupt extremist recruitment pipelines and build sustainable peace in the region.
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