The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared that contrary to some insinuations making the rounds about repentant terrorists being mobilised into the military through the back door, “We are not recruiting any killers into the army, and we can never do that.”
This is just as DHQ disclosed that fears in the public domain indicating that scores of repentant terrorists who were de-radicalised and reintegrated into the society are now allegedly turning into informants for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and engaging in subterfuge against the military in the Northeast are unfounded.
Brigadier General Yusuf Alli, Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, who made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, said, “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 killed. The high-risk terrorists believe they are now government spies who have benefitted and will sell them out.”
Speaking strictly on the rehabilitation and reintegration initiative of Operation Safe Corridor, Alli emphasised 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.
Launched in 2015–2016 at the height of insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, the programme addresses the large number of fighters who voluntarily surrendered or escaped during military offensives.
Many of these individuals were coerced into terrorist groups after their communities, including Gwoza, Bama, and Madagali, were attacked.
He said a multi-agency screening process involving the Ministry of Justice and other government and international bodies classify surrendered terrorists into three categories,classifies 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.
Stressing that Operation Safe Corridor does not replace criminal justice, Brig Gen Ali said, “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.”
He added, “The military’s message is clear: Operation Safe Corridor is about rehabilitation, not recruitment, and its purpose is to prevent a return to violence.”
