The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly dismissed suggestions that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are prioritising leniency for repentant terrorists over justice for victims.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, the military clarified that statements made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Olufemi Oluyede, regarding Operation Safe Corridor (OSC) had been deliberately distorted in an online publication.
Operation Safe Corridor, established in 2015, is designed for the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of surrendered and low-risk former combatants.
Uba stressed that the programme is not an amnesty initiative but part of a wider counter-insurgency strategy that blends military action with non-kinetic measures.
“The portrayal of OSC as leniency for terrorists is inaccurate and undermines national security efforts,” Uba said.
READ ALSO: Sharks in Bahamas Found with Cocaine, Painkillers in Their Blood
He explained that the scheme has helped weaken insurgent networks by reducing recruitment pipelines and gathering intelligence from those who voluntarily disengage.
He further asserted that Gen Oluyede’s comments were made during a military doctrine lecture, centering on global best practices where rehabilitation complements battlefield operations.
“Any attempt to frame these remarks as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation,” he added.
The DHQ insisted that the Armed Forces remain committed to neutralising active threats and protecting citizens, while OSC addresses a distinct category of individuals who have surrendered under strict profiling criteria.
Uba therefore urged the public to disregard sensational reports and rely on verified sources for accurate information.