Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as misleading and inaccurate a viral social media post that allegedly distorted remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the narrative circulating online deliberately misrepresented the intent of the Chief of Defence Staff and undermined ongoing national security efforts.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the viral post used selective framing to create the impression that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were prioritizing leniency for terrorists over justice for victims.
“The attention of Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a misleading narrative circulating on social media, particularly a Facebook post which deliberately distorted the remarks of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede regarding Operation SAFE CORRIDOR,” the statement read.
It further noted that the post selectively amplified certain phrases while ignoring the broader context of the CDS’s remarks.
“Using a framing strategy that selectively amplifies certain phrases while ignoring the full context, the post falsely suggested that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are prioritizing leniency for terrorists over justice for victims. This portrayal is not only inaccurate but also undermines ongoing national security efforts.”
Operation SAFE CORRIDOR Not Amnesty Programme
The Defence Headquarters clarified that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is not an amnesty initiative but a structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme designed for surrendered and screened low-risk former combatants.
“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 statement said.
The military also explained that the programme forms part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
“Evidence shows that hundreds of individuals have passed through this process since inception, contributing to intelligence gathering and weakening insurgent structures.”
The Defence Headquarters also emphasized that General Oluyede’s comments were made during a professional military doctrine lecture and focused on global best practices in conflict resolution.
“Second, the comments by the CDS were made within the context of a professional military doctrine lecture, emphasizing the importance of multi-dimensional conflict resolution. His remarks highlighted global best practices where rehabilitation complements battlefield successes, not replaces them.”
The statement described attempts to portray the CDS’s remarks as sympathy for terrorists as a “gross misinterpretation.”
“Any attempt to frame these remarks as sympathy for terrorists is a gross misinterpretation.”
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that the Armed Forces remain fully committed to neutralizing terrorists and protecting citizens across the country.
“Third, the Nigerian Armed Forces remain unequivocally committed to neutralizing active terrorists and protecting law-abiding citizens.”
It added that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR only applies to individuals who voluntarily disengage from insurgent groups and meet strict profiling requirements.
“Operation SAFE CORRIDOR simply addresses a different category of individuals; those who have voluntarily disengaged and met strict profiling criteria.”
The military also stressed the importance of deradicalisation as part of modern warfare strategies, warning that selective narratives could undermine efforts to break cycles of violence.
“Furthermore, it is instructive to note that strategic communication in modern warfare recognizes the importance of de-radicalisation as a tool to reduce recruitment pipelines and break cycles of violence.”
The Defence Headquarters urged Nigerians to disregard sensational interpretations and rely on verified sources for information.