Zamfara State has been selected as the North-West headquarters for Operation Safe Corridor, a federal initiative aimed at disarming, de-radicalising, and reintegrating repentant bandits.
Speaking at the official handover of the facility designated for the programme, Governor Dauda Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating banditry in the region. He stressed that while security forces would continue their operations against criminal elements, those willing to surrender their arms unconditionally would be given a structured pathway back into society.
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A statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, confirmed that Operation Safe Corridor in the North-West is modelled after the successful initiative in the North-East, which has facilitated the de-radicalisation and reintegration of former Boko Haram fighters. The programme will offer vocational training, psychological support, and ideological reorientation to individuals seeking to abandon criminal activities.
Governor Lawal explained that the state government provided the facility as part of its support for the Federal Government’s counter-insurgency efforts.
“I wish to reaffirm our administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting this initiative and all other effective strategies aimed at confronting banditry. Our security forces will continue to take the fight to the enclaves of these criminals until they are completely subdued,” Lawal stated.
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He, however, encouraged those willing to surrender to take advantage of the initiative.
“Any bandit who is ready to lay down arms unconditionally is free to do so. The establishment of the North-West headquarters of Operation Safe Corridor provides a structured platform for disarmament, de-radicalisation, and reintegration.”
Governor Lawal also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for selecting Zamfara as the host state. He further appreciated the Chairman of the North-West Operation Safe Corridor Implementation Committee, Major-General EV Onumajuru, and his team for their role in the project. Additionally, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for security agencies working to restore peace in Zamfara.
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“What is needed now is a consolidation of the gains in combating banditry and other violent crimes. I assure you of our commitment to ensuring the success of this programme,” Lawal added. “For us, this marks the launch of the Zamfara model of DDDRRR—Demobilisation, Disengagement, De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, and Reintegration.”
In his remarks, Major-General Onumajuru, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, commended Governor Lawal for his strong support in the fight against banditry.
“Operation Safe Corridor is a non-kinetic approach to security. It serves as a pathway to peace and reintegration. After taking over this facility, we will continue to engage with His Excellency and the people of Zamfara, who are critical stakeholders in this project, to ensure synergy and cooperation,” he said.
With Zamfara now hosting the third Operation Safe Corridor headquarters in Nigeria, stakeholders anticipate significant progress in addressing banditry and restoring long-term stability to the North-West.
