The Benue State Government has revealed that its request for a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) center is aimed at deradicalizing and reintegrating over 300 repentant criminals, particularly those from the Sankera axis, back into society. The state government has clarified that these individuals, who have been identified in three local government areas—Logo, Katsina-Ala, and Ukum—were not necessarily criminals but people abducted and forced to work for bandits over the years.

Clarifying Misinformation About DDR Center

The state government made the clarification following misinformation that the proposal to establish a DDR center in Benue would be used to house “repentant” terrorists from the North West. Critics and opposition groups have accused the state government of using the situation to justify the center’s location in Logo LGA, which they claim could be used to relocate individuals from other regions.

Josephine Habba, Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, addressed these concerns. She explained that the state government believed it was more appropriate to have one of the centers located in Benue due to the unique circumstances in the region. The state government, in collaboration with traditional rulers, has lobbied for the center, which the Federal Government has promised to consider.

According to Habba, many of the individuals expected to benefit from the DDR program were not actual bandits but people who were abducted, threatened, and forced to live in the bandits’ enclaves for years. They were often made to perform menial tasks for the bandits. The state government expressed concern that if these individuals were sent to DDR camps in the North West, they might be further radicalized rather than rehabilitated.

Plan for Rehabilitation and Reintegration

Habba outlined a thorough plan to be revealed during a peace summit scheduled for February 25, 2026. The program, which will last between six months to one year, includes community resilience efforts, livelihood restoration, compensation for those affected, and the rebuilding of schools and hospitals. The goal is to ensure a smooth reintegration of these individuals back into their communities.

The program will focus on those who have been identified as being in the bush, and the state government has confirmed that these individuals are not from outside the state. Habba emphasized that the state is not requesting a DDR center for Boko Haram or other terrorists but for the bandits and criminals within the state.

She further noted that some bandits in the Sankera region have expressed willingness to come out of the bush but have doubted the sincerity of the government. However, she assured that the government is sincere in its commitment to the rehabilitation process. The DDR camp will be a military facility with highly restricted access, aimed at protecting the people of Benue.

According to Habba, over 300 individuals have been assessed and identified as repentant criminals who are not actual criminals. This assessment was done in collaboration with traditional rulers in the state. The state government believes that the establishment of the DDR center will bring significant benefits to the region.

The state government has also highlighted that the program is a partnership with the Federal Government and is part of a broader effort to address the root causes of conflicts in the region. The focus is not only on deradicalizing individuals but also on restoring the communities affected by the conflict.

The state government’s approach reflects a growing concern over the impact of banditry and the need for a structured and sustainable solution to reintegrate those affected back into society. With over 1,800 individuals identified in the Sankera axis, the state government is determined to ensure that the rehabilitation process is thorough and effective.