Nigeria Expands Deradicalization Initiative to Combat Banditry in North West

The Nigerian government is broadening its deradicalization initiative, known as Operation Safe Corridor, to address the escalating insecurity in the North West region of the country. This area includes the states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which have experienced significant turmoil due to the activities of criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits.

For over a decade, the North West has been plagued by conflicts as these gangs raid villages and engage in a lucrative kidnap-for-ransom business. Their actions have led to widespread violence, including sexual assaults, murders, and extortion of local populations.

Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Operations, emphasized that the deradicalization program is crucial for disrupting the cycle of terrorism and banditry by offering a structured approach for the rehabilitation and reintegration of former bandits. This strategy has previously been applied to ex-fighters from Boko Haram in the North East.

So far, Operation Safe Corridor has shown some success in the North East, where it has facilitated the rehabilitation of approximately 2,190 former insurgents who voluntarily surrendered. The program is founded on five key pillars: disarmament, demobilization, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

Despite its success in the North East, concerns regarding recidivism have arisen, with instances of previously rehabilitated individuals rejoining extremist groups. As the program is set to expand into the North West, analysts express skepticism about its effectiveness. They point out that the motivations behind banditry in this region are often financial, driven by ransom demands, cattle rustling, and illegal mining, rather than ideological factors.

Samuel Malik, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa, noted that while the approach isn't inherently flawed, it must be tailored to the unique conditions of the North West. He suggested that a solely militaristic approach would not resolve the security issues facing Nigeria.

Oluwole Ojewale, an analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, cautioned against simply replicating the methods used in the North East for the North West. He argued that while demobilization is necessary, the underlying issues in the North West differ significantly from those associated with jihadist groups.

Critics of Operation Safe Corridor have raised concerns that the initiative may inadvertently reward criminals, as it appears to prioritize the needs of perpetrators over the victims of violence. Dengiyefa Angalapu, a researcher in counterterrorism, argued that the program should be adapted to recognize the diverse actors involved in banditry and the socio-economic grievances that drive individuals to take up arms.

Experts agree that addressing the root causes of banditry will require more than just a deradicalization program. They advocate for the inclusion of local peacebuilding efforts and economic empowerment initiatives to reduce the likelihood of relapse into criminal activities.

While elements like psychological support and vocational training are vital, the Nigerian government is urged to focus on economic reintegration and conflict resolution strategies that effectively prevent re-engagement in violence.