By Onilede Titi Faith
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State has criticised the ₦1.4 billion compensation paid by the Federal Government for the takeover of the state’s NYSC orientation camp at Malam Sidi, now being used for Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC).
The facility in Kwami LGA, managed by the Defence Headquarters, houses the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR), programme for repentant Boko Haram members.
It was originally built under former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo for corps members’ orientation exercises.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, on Tuesday while receiving senior military officers from Defence Headquarters, Yahaya said the payout was grossly inadequate.
“The Federal Government paid only ₦1.4 billion, yet we have already spent over ₦5 billion to construct a new NYSC camp, almost three times the compensation,” he lamented.
He noted that although residents initially expressed fears about hosting the programme, consistent engagement with security agencies has helped build trust in the community.
While pledging continued support for OPSC, Yahaya assured the military of his administration’s cooperation in the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants.
Leader of the visiting team, Rear Admiral Suleiman Haruna Abdullahi, said the delegation was in Gombe to conduct an administrative assessment of OPSC.
He commended the state government’s support, adding that their findings would be submitted to Defence Headquarters to improve governance of the programme.
