Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has defended the country’s controversial programme to reintegrate surrendered Boko Haram fighters, arguing that international law obligates the military to treat former combatants humanely once they lay down their arms.
Musa made this defence while on Arise News recently.
His words: “International law says once your enemy surrenders, you are bound to treat him humanely,” Musa said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s just the truth.”
Musa, a former theatre commander in Nigeria’s Northeast who oversaw operations during mass surrenders, said troops dismantled insurgent supply routes, leaving fighters without food, water, or ammunition.
As exhausted militants began giving themselves up, authorities worked alongside the Borno State Government to disarm and process them.
He said three categories of people emerged from the surrenders: those conscripted by force, those enslaved or used for labour, and actual combatants.
“The first two sets were kept aside and sent to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation,” Musa said. “The perpetrators, the real combatants, were handed over to the Attorney General’s office for prosecution. Some have already been jailed.”
Musa pushed back against criticism that the programme amounts to rewarding violence, drawing a sharp distinction between coerced recruits and willing fighters.
“Some joined because they were deceived into thinking they were fighting for God. Others were enticed with money,” he said. “We rehabilitate them, give them skills, and monitor them closely. None has gone back to violence.”
The minister pointed to a stakeholders’ meeting in Borno State, where a victim’s representative who had lost nine family members to insurgent violence expressed willingness to forgive if it would advance peace.
Musa cited South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery as models for balancing justice with healing.
“Whatever you do, you must still sit down at the table,” he said.
Musa dismissed suggestions that the government was letting killers walk free. “Not at all. We’re not rewarding the acts of crime. Those found guilty face the law. But those forced into it are rehabilitated. We cannot indiscriminately kill everyone; otherwise, we’d be accused of killing innocents.”
He acknowledged the emotional weight the programme carries for survivors and their families, but maintained it was a necessary compromise.
“People feel aggrieved, and naturally they want everyone punished,” Musa said. “But we must balance justice with reconciliation.” #Securitynewsalert.com
