IPCR AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE
It’s risky to rehabilitate repentant insurgents When in 2018 the military established a camp to ‘rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered and repentant Boko Haram terrorist members’ via an exercise known as Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), many Nigerians, including
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has advocated for the discontinuation of the controversial 'rehabilitate and reintegrate' program for Boko Haram insurgents, following concerns raised by military personnel and the growing consensus that such an approach could be counterproductive. In 2018, the military established Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) to rehabilitate surrendered and repentant Boko Haram members, but there have been reports suggesting these 'repentant' fighters may return to their communities to reenact violent acts.
The IPCR's 2026 edition of a dialogue session emphasized the need for a comprehensive national peace policy, taking into account the evolving nature of threats such as banditry, digital and social media risks, environmental pressures, and illegal resource extraction. The 2026 edition also called for the establishment of peacebuilding coordination platforms at federal, state, and local levels, as well as a complementarity between peacebuilders and security agencies.
Participants stressed the importance of integrating peace education into all learning systems, creating strong accountability mechanisms, and embedding legal and legislative measures to ensure the longevity and enforceability of the peace policy.
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