The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a misleading report circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, which misrepresented the remarks of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
The DHQ described the report as ‘inaccurate and a deliberate distortion of facts.’
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said; “the post used a framing strategy that selectively highlighted certain phrases while ignoring their full context. It falsely suggested that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims.”
He said that “this portrayal is not only inaccurate but also undermines ongoing national security efforts.”
He said; “First it is important to clarify 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.
“The programme forms part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy combining kinetic and 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.
“Second, the comments by the CDS were made within the context of a professional military doctrine lecture, emphasising the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution.
“His remarks 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.
“Third, the Nigerian Armed Forces remain unequivocally committed to neutralising active terrorists and protecting law-abiding citizens.”
The same leadership of the Armed Forces being misrepresented continues to direct aggressive operations across various theatres of conflict.
Operation SAFE CORRIDOR simply addresses a different category of individuals: those who have voluntarily disengaged and met strict profiling criteria.
Furthermore, it is instructive to note that strategic communication in modern warfare recognises the importance of deradicalisation as 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 urges the public to;
- Disregard sensational and out-of-context interpretations of official statements.
- Rely on verified channels for accurate information on military operations.
- Support ongoing military efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and security across the country.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain a professional institution guided by law, doctrine, and an unwavering commitment to national security.
The leadership of General Olufemi Oluyede reflects decades of distinguished service, operational experience, and strategic competence in addressing complex security challenges.
