Description
For over a decade, the Boko Haram insurgency has devastated the Northeast of Nigeria, heavily straining the nation’s military and socioeconomic resources, destabilizing the region, and resulting in extensive loss of lives and property (Sasu, 2022). In response, Nigeria launched the Deradicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor (OSC) in 2016, introducing a soft approach to complement the ongoing military counteroffensive against violent extremism in the Northeast (Salihu, 2021).
This paper investigates the experiences of Nigerian security forces tasked with delivering the DRR program under OSC for former Boko Haram combatants. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study explores the psychological and operational perceptions of DRR actors and how they internalize their roles within this programme. While existing research primarily examines the DRR policy's impacts on communities and the challenges of reintegrating ex-combatants, this study uniquely focuses on those delivering the programme, revealing the complexities of balancing military responsibilities with rehabilitative goals. The findings indicate that prolonged engagement with the program not only shapes security forces’ perceptions of ex-combatants but also underscores the critical need for enhanced psychological support for DRR practitioners.
In light of these insights, the study advocates for a significant restructuring of current counter-extremism efforts, which often fall short in reflecting knowledge and due consideration of the impact of these actors on the expected outcome. It therefore advances a more inclusive and effective policy development that incorporates the perspectives of frontline actors and extends beyond conventional military interventions. By reframing existing DRR frameworks, policymakers are equipped to address the associated multifaceted challenges, while fostering sustainable peace and stability in Nigeria’s Northeast and the wider Lake Chad region.
