Ignore unfounded allegations of softness on terrorism, Defense Headquarters tells the nation

The Defence Headquarters has categorically denied the existence of false narratives circulating on social media, which suggest that the Armed Forces of Nigeria prioritise leniency towards terrorists over justice for victims, and has urged the public to disregard such misinformation.

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The military has called on the public to support its ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the country, rather than relying on sensational and out-of-context interpretations of official statements.

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In a statement titled “Re: Misrepresentation of the Chief of Defence Staff’s Remarks in Operation Safe Corridor,” the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, attributed the false claims to a deliberate distortion of comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.

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A viral social media post is said to have selectively amplified portions of the CDS’s remarks while ignoring their full context, thereby creating the false impression that the military is showing sympathy towards terrorists, a portrayal that undermines ongoing national security efforts.

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The DHQ has clarified that Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme, but a structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration initiative designed specifically for surrendered, screened, and low-risk former combatants.

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This programme is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, with hundreds of individuals having undergone the process, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent networks.

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The CDS’s remarks were made during a professional military doctrine lecture, where he emphasised the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution in line with global best practices, highlighting how rehabilitation efforts complement battlefield successes rather than replace them.

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Any attempt to frame these comments as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation, according to the DHQ, which reaffirmed its stance of remaining fully committed to neutralising active terrorists while protecting law-abiding citizens across all theatres of operation.

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Operation Safe Corridor targets only those who have voluntarily disengaged from insurgency and have met strict profiling criteria, the DHQ stated, while also underscoring the role of deradicalisation in modern warfare as a strategy to reduce recruitment pipelines and break cycles of violence.

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The DHQ urged Nigerians to rely on verified sources for accurate information and to support the Armed Forces in their mission to secure the nation, reiterating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain a professional institution guided by law, doctrine, and an unwavering commitment to national security.