Military Denies Claims of Leniency Toward Terrorists, Urges Public Vigilance

The Nigerian military has firmly rejected claims that it favors terrorists over victims, calling such narratives “false and misleading.” The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) addressed the controversy in a formal statement urging the public to disregard sensationalized interpretations of official communications.

Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, clarified that the allegations stemmed from deliberate distortion of remarks made by Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede regarding Operation Safe Corridor. According to the military, social media posts had selectively amplified portions of the CDS’s comments while removing critical context, creating an inaccurate impression of sympathy toward terrorist elements.

“This portrayal is not only inaccurate but also undermines ongoing national security efforts,” the statement emphasized.

The DHQ provided important context about Operation Safe Corridor, stressing that it is not an amnesty program as some have characterized it. Rather, it functions as a structured deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration initiative specifically designed for former combatants who have surrendered, been thoroughly screened, and assessed as low-risk.

This approach forms part of Nigeria’s comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy that combines traditional military operations with non-kinetic approaches—a methodology increasingly adopted by security forces worldwide facing protracted insurgencies. Military officials noted that hundreds of individuals have completed the program, with many providing valuable intelligence that has weakened insurgent networks.

The controversy appears to have originated from remarks made by General Oluyede during a professional military doctrine lecture. The DHQ explained that the CDS was discussing multi-dimensional conflict resolution strategies aligned with international best practices rather than expressing leniency toward active terrorists.

“His remarks highlighted how rehabilitation efforts complement battlefield successes rather than replace them. Any attempt to frame these comments as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation,” the military stated.

Nigeria has battled various insurgent groups for over a decade, with Boko Haram and its offshoots causing significant destruction across the country’s northeast. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of civilians, making effective counter-insurgency strategies crucial for regional stability.

Security experts have noted that rehabilitation programs similar to Operation Safe Corridor have been implemented in other countries facing extremist insurgencies, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, with varying degrees of success. Such programs typically aim to reduce recidivism and deprive terrorist groups of potential recruits.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to neutralizing active terrorists while protecting civilians across all operational theaters. It emphasized that Operation Safe Corridor exclusively targets individuals who have voluntarily disengaged from insurgency and met rigorous profiling criteria—not active combatants.

In its statement, the DHQ highlighted the strategic importance of deradicalization in modern warfare, noting that such approaches help disrupt recruitment pipelines and interrupt cycles of violence that have plagued Nigeria’s conflict zones.

The controversy reflects broader tensions in counter-terrorism policy, where military forces must balance decisive action against active threats with rehabilitation efforts that might prevent future violence. Similar debates have emerged in other conflict zones globally.

The DHQ concluded by urging Nigerians to rely on verified information sources and to support the Armed Forces in their security mission. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain a professional institution guided by law, doctrine, and an unwavering commitment to national security,” the statement affirmed.