By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian military has dismissed as false and misleading a widely circulated video and accompanying claims alleging that repentant and active Boko Haram terrorists are being armed to fight alongside troops under the government’s de-radicalisation initiative known as Operation Safe Corridor.
The Coordinator of the programme, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, in an official statement, said the claims are entirely unfounded and do not reflect the operations or mandate of the initiative run by the Defence Headquarters.Africans & Diaspora
Ali explained that several de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives exist across different states in Nigeria, but clarified that some of these programmes are independently managed by state governments and are not under the control or supervision of the Federal Government or the Defence Headquarters.
According to him, individuals processed through such state-level arrangements are not recognised as participants within the Defence Headquarters–led Operation Safe Corridor framework, stressing that the distinction is crucial in addressing the misinformation currently being circulated online.
He also clarified that the facility shown in the viral video is not the official camp used by Operation Safe Corridor for handling former members of Boko Haram.
“The officially designated OPSC facility responsible for handling Boko Haram participants is located in Mallam Sidi and operates as a secured and controlled military environment,” the statement said.
Ali noted that the location shown in the video differs significantly from the Mallam Sidi facility in terms of structural design, layout and operational setting, adding that the individuals seen in the footage, including Danish blogger Jones Raw, are not known to the programme and have never been granted access to the camp.
He described the claims as not only inaccurate but deliberately misleading.
The coordinator reiterated that Operation Safe Corridor is strictly a non-kinetic, multi-agency initiative aimed at facilitating the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of carefully screened and profiled individuals who voluntarily surrender from terrorist groups.
Ali stressed that at no point are participants armed, mobilised or deployed for combat operations.
Instead, upon completion of the programme, participants are formally handed over to relevant state authorities for reintegration into their communities under established monitoring frameworks.
He added that the initiative remains a critical component of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy as it helps reduce the pool of insurgent fighters, encourages voluntary disengagement from extremist groups and contributes to long-term national stability.
The statement further noted that Operation Safe Corridor operates with the engagement and support of several international partners, including the European Union, whose involvement underscores the programme’s transparency, compliance with international standards and adherence to global best practices.
Ali warned that the spread of false narratives surrounding the programme has the potential to undermine national security efforts and erode public confidence in ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Consequently, he extended an invitation to the originator of the claim, Jones Raw, as well as other credible observers, to undertake a formally coordinated and monitored visit to the Operation Safe Corridor camp in Mallam Sidi.
According to him, the visit would be facilitated in conjunction with the programme’s international partners to enable independent verification of the facts.
The coordinator reaffirmed that Operation Safe Corridor remains committed to transparency, professionalism and the effective execution of its mandate of non-kinetic engagement in support of national security and sustainable peace in Nigeria.
