The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting that repentant terrorists and bandits are being recruited into the Nigerian military.
The DHQ, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Alli, described as false, some trending reports which claimed repentant terrorists were being mobilised into the military through the back door.
“We are not recruiting any k!llers into the army, and we can never do that,” General Alli said.
He also dismissed fears that repentant terrorists who were de-radicalised and reintegrated into society are now allegedly turning into informants for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and sabotaging the efforts of the military in the Northeast.
According to him, the repentant terrorists can not return to the criminal camp because they will be k!lled if they do so.
“There is no way the repentant terrorists, who are low-risk terrorists, who were conscripted, forced to join the Boko Haram insurgency against their will, and many who escaped from the terrorists’ dens when the opportunity came, can go back to the terrorists’ group.
They will be k!lled. The high-risk terrorists believe they are now government spies who have benefitted and will sell them out,” he added.
He emphasized that the Operation Safe Corridor focuses strictly on rehabilitation and reintegration, explaining that the Nigerian Army has strict recruitment rules, which automatically disqualify anyone with a criminal record.
“Once you have any criminal record, you cannot join the military or any security agency,” he said.
The coordinator noted that Operation Safe Corridor is not a physical camp or military recruitment drive; it is an idea designed to manage surrendered insurgents.
He said a multi-agency screening process involving the Ministry of Justice and other government and international bodies classify surrendered terrorists into three categories, including:
Low-risk: Forced or coerced participants with no prosecutable offences; Medium-risk: Individuals with some involvement in terrorist activities, and High-risk: Core fighters and commanders
“Only the low-risk group is admitted into Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation – these are individuals the justice system has determined have no case to answer,” the official said.
“Participants receive de-radicalisation, trauma counselling, and vocational training to prepare them for civilian life. Many arrive suffering from psychological trauma and drug dependency.
“Skills training such as tailoring, carpentry, and farming helps ensure they can contribute positively to society,” he added.
Brig Gen Ali stressed that Operation Safe Corridor does not replace criminal justice, as hardcore terrorists who are captured are prosecuted according to the law.
“Hardcore terrorists captured during operations are prosecuted and, if convicted, imprisoned.
“The programme operates on a dual-track system: criminal justice for offenders and rehabilitation and reintegration for victims.
“The military’s message is clear: Operation Safe Corridor is about rehabilitation, not recruitment, and its purpose is to prevent a return to violence,” he added.
