The Benue State Government has requested approval from the Federal Government to establish a Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) centre aimed at rehabilitating repentant local bandits in the state.
The Director-General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Josephine Habba, disclosed this on Monday while speaking to journalists in Makurdi.
Habba explained that the proposed initiative is designed to reform individuals who were drawn into banditry under coercion or difficult circumstances, describing many of them as “foot soldiers” rather than masterminds of cr+minal activities.
According to her, biometric data gathered by the commission indicates that more than 1,800 persons have been profiled, with about 400 expressing willingness to undergo rehabilitation. “These persons are not necessarily cr+minals but were taken in to do dirty jobs for those in the forest.
Many were recruited because they could move freely without being recognised,” Habba said. “My commission has worked out a comprehensive plan that will be unveiled at a peace summit on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The programme will run for between six months and one year, after which participants will graduate and receive certificates,” she stated. She added that the reintegration phase would include restoring destr+yed livelihoods and supporting affected communities.
Habba also revealed that she and the Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Bishop Isaac Dugu, had engaged with officials of the Safe Corridor programme and recommended that the state governor formally approach the Chief of Defence Staff for approval.
“The Chief of Defence Staff has indicated that a committee will be set up to assess the proposed facility. If it meets required standards, further steps will be taken,” she said. The proposed DDR centre is expected to be located in Logo Local Government Area and is projected to cost millions of naira.
