The Defence Headquarters has refuted allegations that former terrorists who have renounced violence are being quietly integrated into the Nigerian Armed Forces.
It described the reports as inaccurate and misleading, maintaining that such actions are not permitted within the military structure.
Military authorities emphasized that recruitment procedures remain rigorous and uncompromising. They stressed that the Armed Forces adhere strictly to established standards and would not dilute them under any circumstance.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Alli, responded to the concerns, firmly stating that individuals with histories of violence are not eligible for enlistment.
“We are not recruiting any killers into the army, and we can never do that,” he said, underscoring the military’s commitment to discipline and ethical conduct.
The DHQ also dismissed concerns suggesting that rehabilitated ex-insurgents have returned to support terrorist activities, describing such claims as unfounded. According to military officials, individuals who have undergone the rehabilitation process are unlikely to rejoin insurgent groups.
They noted that such individuals often face severe consequences, including execution, if they attempt to return, as insurgents tend to regard them as informants.
Brigadier General Alli explained that only carefully vetted individuals are admitted into the government’s rehabilitation programme. He noted that the initiative is limited to those classified as low-risk participants.
These individuals are typically those who were coerced into joining insurgent groups or acted under duress, with many taking the opportunity to escape when possible.
He further clarified that the Nigerian Army enforces strict recruitment guidelines, automatically disqualifying anyone with a criminal background. This policy, he added, is consistent across all security agencies, as maintaining high standards is critical in combating terrorism.
Operation Safe Corridor, he said, is not designed as a pathway into military service but rather as a structured deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former insurgents.
The initiative was introduced around 2015 during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, aimed at addressing the growing number of surrendered fighters.
It involves collaboration among various government institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, alongside local and international partners. Participants are assessed and categorized based on their level of involvement in insurgent activities.
Those classified as low-risk are individuals without serious offences, while medium-risk participants may have had limited roles. High-risk individuals include core fighters and commanders.
Only low-risk individuals are admitted into the programme, as they have no outstanding legal cases. Within the scheme, participants receive psychological support and undergo deradicalisation processes, with many requiring treatment for trauma and, in some cases, substance abuse.
They are also equipped with vocational skills such as tailoring, carpentry, and agriculture to support their reintegration into society as self-reliant citizens.
Brigadier General Alli emphasized that the programme does not substitute the justice system. He explained that captured high-risk terrorists are prosecuted through the courts, and those convicted are imprisoned, ensuring accountability.
“The programme operates on a dual-track system: criminal justice for offenders and rehabilitation and reintegration for victims,” he said.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that Operation Safe Corridor remains a vital component of efforts to address insurgency, focusing on peacebuilding and preventing recidivism rather than serving as a recruitment channel for the military.
