The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has rejected as “misleading and distorted” a viral social media post misrepresenting remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation Safe Corridor.
In a statement on Thursday, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the post, mainly circulating on Facebook, selectively highlighted certain phrases while ignoring the full context, falsely suggesting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims.
DHQ clarified that Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme but a carefully structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration initiative targeting only surrendered, screened, and low-risk former combatants. The programme forms part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines kinetic and non-kinetic operations. Hundreds of individuals have passed through the initiative, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent networks.
The statement explained that the CDS’s remarks were made during a professional military doctrine lecture, where he highlighted global best practices emphasizing that rehabilitation complements battlefield successes rather than replacing them. “Any attempt to frame these remarks as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation,” the DHQ stressed.
Reaffirming its operational stance, the DHQ said the Nigerian Armed Forces remain fully committed to neutralising active terrorists and protecting law-abiding citizens. The same leadership being misrepresented continue to direct aggressive operations across various conflict theatres, while Operation Safe Corridor focused on those who have voluntarily disengaged and meet strict profiling criteria.
The statement also highlighted the strategic importance of deradicalisation in modern warfare, noting that such programmes help disrupt terrorist recruitment and break cycles of violence—an aspect ignored by the viral post.
The DHQ urged the public to disregard sensational and out-of-context interpretations of official statements, rely on verified channels for accurate military updates, and support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the country.
It reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria operate as a professional institution guided by law and doctrine, with the leadership of General Oluyede reflecting decades of distinguished service, operational experience, and strategic competence in addressing complex security challenges.
