Nigerian Military Denies Recruiting Ex-Boko Haram Fighters, Calls Claims False
The Nigerian military has categorically dismissed as false and misleading claims that repentant or active Boko Haram insurgents are being armed to fight alongside its forces. In a strong rebuttal issued in Abuja, military officials described the allegations as entirely unfounded and without any factual basis, warning that such misinformation could undermine national security efforts.
Official Statement Rejects Viral Video
Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, the coordinator of the deradicalisation programme, addressed a viral video that suggested former insurgents were being equipped for combat operations. He clarified that Operation Safe Corridor is a strictly non-kinetic, multi-agency initiative focused on the deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former fighters. Participants in this programme are never armed, mobilised, or deployed for military duties, he emphasised.
Ali stated, "The claim is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded. At no point are participants armed, mobilised, or deployed for combat operations." He explained that while some state-level de-radicalisation initiatives exist, they operate independently and are not recognised under the official Safe Corridor framework, a distinction he highlighted as crucial in addressing the spread of misinformation.
Clarification on Programme Location and Participants
Regarding the viral footage, Ali dismissed suggestions that it depicted the official programme facility. He noted that the location shown was inconsistent with the Operation Safe Corridor camp, which is situated in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, and operates within a secure and controlled military environment. "The location shown in the video is clearly inconsistent with the OPSC facility," he added, pointing out that individuals featured in the footage, including a foreign blogger, had no connection to the programme.
Ali further detailed the rigorous process participants undergo, which includes careful screening and, upon completion, handover to state authorities for reintegration under monitored conditions. He asserted that this initiative has contributed to reducing the number of active insurgents and supporting long-term national stability, with involvement from international partners such as the European Union reflecting the programme's transparency and adherence to global best practices.
Invitation for Verification and Commitment to Transparency
Warning that such misinformation could harm national security efforts, Ali invited the originator of the claims and other credible observers to visit the facility for independent verification. He reaffirmed the military's commitment to transparency and professionalism, stressing that the programme is designed to foster peace and security without compromising operational integrity.
This response underscores the military's ongoing efforts to combat false narratives while maintaining its deradicalisation initiatives aimed at promoting stability in conflict-affected regions.
