The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed leniency toward terrorists in his recent remarks on Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, seen by Securitynewsalert.com, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the viral post “deliberately distorted” the CDS’s comments by amplifying selected phrases and ignoring the full context.
“The post falsely suggested that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims. This portrayal is not only inaccurate but also undermines ongoing national security efforts,” Uba said.
He clarified that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is “not an amnesty programme but a carefully structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative targeted strictly at surrendered, screened and low-risk former combatants.”
According to him, the programme is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
“Evidence shows that hundreds of individuals have passed through this process since inception, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent structures,” he added.
General Oluyede’s remarks, Uba explained, were delivered during a professional military doctrine lecture. “His comments emphasised the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution and highlighted global best practices where rehabilitation complements battlefield successes, not replaces them. Any attempt to frame these remarks as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation,” he said.
The Defence Headquarters stressed that the Armed Forces remain committed to neutralising active terrorists and protecting citizens.
“The same leadership being misrepresented continues to direct aggressive operations across various theatres of conflict. Operation SAFE CORRIDOR addresses a different category of individuals, those who have voluntarily disengaged and met strict profiling criteria,” Uba noted.
He further emphasised the role of strategic communication in modern warfare, saying: “De-radicalisation is a tool to reduce recruitment pipelines and break cycles of violence. The selective framing seen in the viral post ignores this critical dimension and instead promotes a simplistic and misleading narrative.”
The Defence Headquarters urged Nigerians to disregard sensational interpretations of official statements, rely on verified channels for accurate information, and support ongoing military efforts aimed at restoring peace and security across the country. #Securitynewsalert.com
