The Defence Headquarters has denied claims spreading on social media that misrepresented the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede’s comments on the military’s deradicalisation effort, Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
In a statement shared on Friday, the 27th of March, 2026, in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said the viral posts, especially on Facebook, wrongly suggested that the Armed Forces of Nigeria prioritised leniency for terrorists over justice for victims. He explained that the posts distorted the CDS’s remarks by removing them from their original context.
Maj.-Gen. Uba clarified that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is not an amnesty programme. It is a structured initiative for deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration, intended only for surrendered, screened, low-risk former combatants. The programme is part of a wider counter-insurgency strategy that combines both military action and rehabilitation efforts.
He said the CDS made the comments during a professional military lecture, highlighting global best practices that integrate rehabilitation with ongoing security operations. Maj.-Gen. Uba reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to neutralising active terrorists and protecting law-abiding citizens across all operational areas.
READ ALSO: DHQ: Joint Nigeria–US Airstrikes Show Unwavering Resolve Against Terrorism
“Portraying these remarks as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation. Operation SAFE CORRIDOR applies only to individuals who voluntarily disengage from terrorism and meet strict profiling criteria,” he stated.
Maj.-Gen. Uba added that modern conflict management recognises deradicalisation as a key tool to disrupt recruitment networks and prevent cycles of violence.
He warned that selective presentation of military statements undermines national security and spreads misleading narratives.