By Abu Adamu
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said repentant terrorists are being strategically deployed to support intelligence gathering and critical military operations, as part of Nigeria’s broader counter-insurgency efforts.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, clarified that the military’s deradicalisation programme, Operation Safe Corridor, plays a vital role in weakening insurgent networks.
According to the DHQ, individuals who pass through the initiative, after undergoing strict screening and classification as low-risk, have provided valuable intelligence that has aided ongoing operations and disrupted terrorist structures.
The clarification followed what the military described as a “misleading narrative” circulating on social media, which it said distorted remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, on the programme.
Oluyede in earlier remarks had said, “People are asking why are we not killing terrorists even if they have killed others. Well, even in the Bible, the prodigal son was given a chance, so we should give terrorists a chance to repent”.
DHQ however stressed that Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty scheme but a structured process focused on deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of surrendered insurgents, forming part of a broader strategy that combines military force with non-kinetic approaches.
“Evidence shows that hundreds of individuals have passed through this process since its inception, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent structures,” the statement noted.
It explained that the CDS’ remarks were made during a professional military lecture on modern conflict resolution, where he emphasised the importance of combining battlefield success with rehabilitation efforts in line with global best practices.
The military maintained that such approaches do not replace combat operations but rather complement them by reducing recruitment pipelines and breaking cycles of violence.
Reaffirming its stance, DHQ said the Armed Forces remain fully committed to neutralising active terrorists and protecting civilians, noting that ongoing operations across various theatres continue unabated.
It added that Operation Safe Corridor targets only those who have voluntarily surrendered and met clearly defined criteria, distinguishing them from active combatants still being engaged by troops.
The military urged the public to disregard what it described as sensational and out-of-context interpretations of official statements, and to rely on verified channels for accurate information on security operations.
DHQ reiterated that the Armed Forces remain guided by professional standards, legal frameworks, and a commitment to national security in addressing evolving threats.