The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for a focus on rehabilitating repentant terrorists in Nigeria instead of their immediate elimination.
Oluyede made the remarks during the inaugural lecture of the Armed Forces Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Abuja.
The comments address ongoing public debate over “Operation Safe Corridor,” the military’s programme designed to de-radicalise and reintegrate former insurgents who surrender.
“Talking about Operation Safe Corridor, so many people have asked that question: why do we need to rehabilitate criminals? They all should be killed because they have killed people. Well, that may make sense,” Oluyede said.
Referencing the biblical story of the prodigal son, he highlighted the value of offering a chance for return and redemption.
“But even in the Bible, we heard about the prodigal son. If there was not that window for the man to come back, would they have come back?” he added.
Gen. Oluyede emphasised that most insurgents are Nigerians and deserve the opportunity to renounce extremism voluntarily.
“So the point is they are Nigerians first. And it’s important for us to give them that window to repent, if they want to. Rather than pushing them to the extreme, to say ‘it’s either we kill you, or you continue with your adventure,’” he said.
He urged broader understanding and support from policymakers, noting that “everything about the Safe Corridor is being given by the defence headquarters” and calling on the National Assembly to recognize the initiative’s long-term significance.
