Allegations circulating on social media claiming that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims have been dismissed by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) as false, misleading and a distortion of official statements.
The military urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as sensational and out-of-context interpretations of remarks by senior defence officials, while reaffirming its commitment to ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability nationwide.
In a statement titled “Re: Misrepresentation of the Chief of Defence Staff’s Remarks in Operation Safe Corridor”, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the controversy arose from a misrepresentation of comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.
According to the DHQ, “a viral social media post selectively amplified portions of the CDS’s remarks while ignoring their full context, thereby creating the false impression that the military is showing sympathy towards terrorists.”
It stressed that “this portrayal is not only inaccurate but also undermines ongoing national security efforts”.
Clarifying Operation Safe Corridor, the statement explained that it is not an amnesty programme but a structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration process for surrendered and screened low-risk former combatants.
It noted that “the programme is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches”, adding that hundreds of participants have undergone the process, supporting intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent networks.
The DHQ said the CDS made the remarks during a professional military doctrine lecture, where he highlighted the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution in line with global best practices.
It added that “his remarks highlighted how rehabilitation efforts complement battlefield successes rather than replace them”, insisting that any attempt to interpret them as sympathy for terrorists was a gross misrepresentation.
Reiterating its position, the military said it remains fully committed to neutralising active terrorists while protecting law-abiding citizens across all theatres of operation.
It further explained that Operation Safe Corridor applies strictly to individuals who voluntarily disengage from insurgency and meet strict screening criteria, while also underscoring the importance of deradicalisation in reducing recruitment into terrorist networks.
The DHQ urged Nigerians to rely on verified sources for accurate information and to support ongoing security operations.
It concluded that “the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain a professional institution guided by law, doctrine, and an unwavering commitment to national security”.
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