Operation safe corridor graduates recount ordeals, laud programme

Some graduates of the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor have narrated how they were arrested and detained for months over a case they said they had no connection with.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the graduation ceremony on Thursday in Gombe, one of them,Basil Anetochukwu said his ordeal began in October 2022 in Anambra State after he invited an electrician to fix a fault in his house.

According to him, the electrician had earlier scheduled to visit his residence but failed to show up as promised, a development that later led to a security operation at his home in the early hours of the following day.

“The security invaded my house around 3 a.m. They were asking me about the guy. I told them I don’t know him. I only called him to fix an electrical fault,” he said.

He explained that he was subsequently taken into custody and moved across different locations during investigations.

“I spent three months in Anambra State and another three months in Enugu. After investigations, I was later taken to Abuja and then Kanji before I got here,” he said.

Tochukwu said he only later realised he was being held in connection with a case involving the electrician he had contacted.

He said he has now spent about seven months in the rehabilitation programme, adding that his perception of the initiative changed after arrival.

“Initially, we were scared and afraid of the unknown. But we later realised the programme was for our benefit. We learned vocations and we are grateful for the support,” he said.

He commended the Federal Government and implementing agencies for the programme, noting that beneficiaries were trained in different vocational skills and promised starter packs upon completion.

On public perception of the programme, Tochukwu said many of the participants were not involved in criminal activities.

“About 98 per cent of us here did not commit anything. Many are victims of circumstances. I urge Nigerians to support this programme,” he said.

He also appealed to individuals still engaged in violent or criminal activities to lay down arms and embrace peace.

“We should come out and join hands with government to develop our nation for the benefit of future generations,” he added.

Another graduate, Usman Hassan, also shared a different account of arrest, saying he was detained in 2011 after being picked up during a routine visit to a barbing salon.

He said he remained in custody until 2025 before graduating from the rehabilitation programme.

Hassan said while the programme had been impactful, more support was needed for reintegration.

“They are supposed to give clients what they need to start life outside. If they are left without support, it becomes a big challenge,” he said.

He disclosed that he now runs a provision store in his home state.

The graduates collectively expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, security agencies, and programme facilitators for what they described as a life-changing rehabilitation experience under Operation Safe Corridor.

The graduation of clients under Operation Safe Corridor underscores Nigeria’s sustained shift towards combining military efforts with non-kinetic strategies in addressing insurgency, particularly in the North-East.

Established as a structured response to the Boko Haram conflict, the programme reflects growing recognition by security authorities that durable peace cannot be achieved solely through force, but also through de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals willing to renounce violence.

Over the years, Operation Safe Corridor has evolved into a multi-agency initiative supported by both local institutions and international partners, focusing on psychosocial support, vocational training, and ideological reorientation.