NIGERIA: About 559 repentant of Boko Haram and Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP) members have been trained, graduated, and equipped by the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) of the Nigerian Army.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the OPSC Commandant, Colonel Uche Nnabuihe, noted that 63 were trained in barbing, 76 went to shoemaking, 175 specialized in welding, 167 learned to tailor, and 56 are into carpentry.
Others include 22 persons who acquired laundering and dry cleaning skills.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Leo Irabor, praised the graduates for surrendering their weapons and are ready to be re-equipped with their fellow humans in their respective societies.
Irabor, represented by the Chief of Defence, Training and Operations, General M. Adeyemi Yekini, urged the repentants always to replicate what they learn during the rehabilitation process and pleaded with them to work according to the Oath they have sworn.
Irabor advised the repentant not to go back to their old ways of life as if they do. The aim of the training will be defeated, and that will compel Nigeria Government and the Military force to take drastic measures about them.
Since 2015 Nigeria Government, through its Army, has trained and rehabilitated more than 1,000 repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP members into the society, where 984, including 16 foreigners, have benefited from the reintegration.
The De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) program through OPSC have helped reinstate repentance through psychological, psycho-social/psycho-spiritual therapies and vocational training.
I assured the general public that the idea of reinitiating the repentance into the society would go a long way in yielding a positive outcome as it will touch the lives of the beneficiaries and their immediate family, and the nation as a whole. Most especially the North-East, which is mainly affected by the issue of banditry and kidnapping, Irabor noted.
Irabor urged the general public members always to accept repentance into society and stop any act of intimidation.
I advised and pleaded that you should never forget to practice what you learn and continue to invest in the skills acquired to better your life and that of your loved ones and the entire community. It would help if you also urged the beneficiaries not to think of selling the equipment given to them during the training, Irabor pleaded.
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