The Benue State Government has formally requested approval from the Federal Government to establish a Disarmament Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) centre aimed at rehabilitating repentant local bandits within the state.

The proposal was presented by Josephine Habba, Director-General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.

Officials clarified that the centre is not intended for Boko Haram fighters or foreign terrorists, contrary to some circulating reports. The initiative targets local youths and individuals who were coerced or forced into criminal networking, offering them a path to reintegrate into society.

Over 1,800 individuals have been profiled, and about 400 have expressed willingness to participate in the rehabilitation programme.

The planned DDR programme will run for six months to a year, providing skills training, psychosocial support and community integration, inline with internationally recognized DDR frameworks.

The government intends to unveil the detailed programme at a peace summit on Wednesday February 25, 2026, as part of broader efforts to address insecurity and break cycles of criminal involvement in the state.