The Defence Headquarters has faulted a viral social media narrative for misrepresenting comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, describing the claims as misleading and detrimental to ongoing national security efforts.
In a statement issued by the Director, Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, the military said the post circulating widely on Facebook deliberately distorted the CDS’s remarks through selective framing, thereby creating the false impression that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were prioritising leniency for terrorists over justice for victims.
The Defence Headquarters clarified that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is not an amnesty programme but a structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative targeted strictly at surrendered, screened and low-risk former combatants. It stressed that the programme complements ongoing military operations as part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy.
According to the statement, hundreds of individuals have passed through the programme since its inception, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent networks.
It further explained that the CDS’s remarks were made within the context of a professional military doctrine lecture, where he emphasised global best practices that combine battlefield success with rehabilitation efforts. The DHQ described attempts to portray the comments as sympathy for terrorists as a gross misinterpretation.
Reaffirming its position, the military said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to neutralising active threats and protecting law-abiding citizens, noting that sustained operations across various theatres demonstrate this resolve.
The statement added that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR addresses a distinct category of individuals—those who have voluntarily disengaged from insurgency and met strict profiling criteria—while active terrorists continue to face decisive military action.
The DHQ also highlighted the importance of deradicalisation in modern conflict management, noting that such efforts help disrupt recruitment pipelines and break cycles of violence. It warned that the viral post ignored this critical dimension and instead promoted a misleading narrative.
The military urged the public to disregard sensational and out-of-context interpretations of official statements, rely on verified channels for accurate information, and support ongoing efforts to restore peace and security across the country.
It maintained that the Armed Forces remain a professional institution guided by law and doctrine, adding that the leadership of the CDS reflects experience, discipline and strategic competence in addressing complex security challenges.
