Benue DDR centre is for repentant local bandits, not Boko Haram terrorists — DG

Repentant Boko Haram members

Josephine Haba, Director-General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, has denied claims that Governor Hyacinth Alia plans to establish a Demobilisation, Deconstruction and Reconstruction (DDR) Centre for Boko Haram members and other terrorists, describing the allegation as misleading and mischievous.

Haba made this clarification during a media briefing in Makurdi, stating that the proposed DDR Centre is intended to rehabilitate repentant local bandits, particularly women and children who were forcibly recruited or abducted by criminal groups operating within the state.

She described the claim as the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to tarnish the image of the governor, whom she said is committed to restoring peace in Benue.

“The DDR centre being proposed in Benue is for the rehabilitation of repentant local bandits from within the state, not Boko Haram terrorists,” she said.

Haba explained that the initiative aims to break the cycle of footsoldier recruitment by bandit groups.

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According to her, Governor Alia met with Bishop Isaac Dugu earlier in 2024, during which the cleric presented more than 1,800 women and children rescued from bandit camps. The governor subsequently offered amnesty to repentant individuals, and over 400 have so far been cleared for rehabilitation.

“This process took more than a year before we arrived at the decision to establish a DDR Centre,” she said. “We want to break the chain of recruitment of foot soldiers by bandits. If they no longer have foot soldiers, their activities will diminish.”

She added that many of the repentant individuals expressed a desire to return to their communities and resume farming, but noted that proper rehabilitation and reintegration support would be required.

“That is why we opted for a DDR Centre, which will help rehabilitate repentant bandits across the state and enable them to begin a new life,” she said.

Haba stated that the proposed centre would provide rehabilitation services and start-up support for beneficiaries before their reintegration into society. She added that the initiative has received backing from the military and has been certified under relevant international standards.

She commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop Isaac Dugu; Governor Hyacinth Alia; and the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ayatse, for their roles in efforts to restore peace in Benue communities.

Haba also warned those spreading what she described as misinformation to desist, urging stakeholders to support peace-building efforts.

“We want seamless reintegration, not just for repentant bandits, but also for communities that have suffered trauma and destruction,” she said.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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