Defence Headquarters has dismissed as misleading a viral social media narrative distorting comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, regarding Operation Safe Corridor.
In a statement issued on March 26, 2026, the military said a Facebook post had selectively framed the CDS’s remarks to suggest that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims. It described the claim as inaccurate and harmful to ongoing national security efforts.
According to the statement, Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme but a structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative designed for surrendered and screened low-risk former combatants. The programme, it said, is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
The Defence Headquarters noted that hundreds of individuals have undergone the programme since its inception, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent networks.
Clarifying the context of the CDS’s remarks, the military explained that Olufemi Oluyede spoke during a professional military doctrine lecture, where he emphasised the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution. His comments, it added, aligned with global best practices in which rehabilitation efforts complement, rather than replace, battlefield operations.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to neutralising active террорист threats and protecting civilians, stressing that ongoing aggressive operations across various theatres remain unaffected. It added that Operation Safe Corridor targets only individuals who have voluntarily disengaged from insurgency and passed strict profiling processes.
The statement also highlighted the role of deradicalisation in modern warfare, noting that it helps disrupt recruitment pipelines and break cycles of violence—an aspect it said was ignored in the viral post.
The Defence Headquarters urged the public to disregard sensational interpretations of official statements, rely on verified information channels, and support military efforts to restore peace and security nationwide.
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