Nigerian Military Not Enlisting Terrorists or Murderers, Defence Headquarters Insist

Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, has categorically denied reports suggesting that repentant terrorists are being inducted into the military through unofficial channels, describing such claims as baseless. The Defence Headquarters has reaffirmed its stance, asserting that it does not recruit individuals with a history of violence into the army.

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The Defence Headquarters has also dismissed concerns that de-radicalised and reintegrated terrorists are secretly working as informants for Boko Haram/ISWAP, posing a threat to the military in the Northeast, labeling such fears as unfounded. Brigadier General Yusuf Alli, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, emphasized that former terrorists who were coerced into joining the insurgency would not be able to rejoin their former groups, as they would be perceived as government spies and would face severe consequences.

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According to Brigadier General Alli, the Nigerian Army has stringent recruitment guidelines that automatically disqualify individuals with criminal records from joining the military or any security agency. The coordinator highlighted that Operation Safe Corridor is a rehabilitation and reintegration initiative, not a recruitment drive, designed to manage surrendered insurgents who have voluntarily surrendered or escaped during military offensives.

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Operation Safe Corridor was launched in 2015-2016, at the peak of the insurgency in Nigeria's North-East, with the primary goal of addressing the large number of fighters who had surrendered or escaped. Many of these individuals were forced into terrorist groups after their communities, including Gwoza, Bama, and Madagali, were attacked.

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A multi-agency screening process, involving the Ministry of Justice and other government and international bodies, categorizes surrendered terrorists into three groups: Low-risk, Medium-risk, and High-risk. Only the low-risk group, comprising individuals who were forced or coerced into participating in terrorist activities with no prosecutable offenses, is admitted into Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation.

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Participants in the program receive de-radicalization, trauma counseling, and vocational training to prepare them for civilian life, as many arrive suffering from psychological trauma and drug dependency. Skills training, such as tailoring, carpentry, and farming, is also provided to enable them to contribute positively to society.

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Brigadier General Ali stressed that Operation Safe Corridor does not replace criminal justice, and hardcore terrorists captured during operations are prosecuted and imprisoned if convicted. The program operates on a dual-track system, with criminal justice for offenders and rehabilitation and reintegration for victims.

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The military's message, as conveyed by Brigadier General Ali, is clear: Operation Safe Corridor is focused on rehabilitation, not recruitment, with the ultimate goal of preventing a return to violence. The program's purpose is to provide an alternative path for former terrorists who are willing to renounce violence and reintegrate into society.