Boko Haram Are Still Nigerians— Defence Chief Defends Rehabilitation Programme

The Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, has defended the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram members, insisting that rehabilitation remains a strategic option within Nigeria’s security framework.

Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, Onoja stressed that despite their crimes, insurgents are still citizens of the country. “At the end of the day, the Boko Haram fighters are still considered Nigerians,” he said, noting that although they “may have erred” and “will definitely account for whatever they have done,” their nationality cannot be dismissed.

He questioned whether the government should abandon the possibility of reform simply because of their past actions. “Are we saying on account of the fact that they’re Nigerians, if we have the ability to rehabilitate them, we should not?” he asked.

According to him, this line of reasoning led to the creation of Operation Safe Corridor a programme developed by Defence Headquarters and later adopted by the Federal Government and the Borno State Government under what is now referred to as the “Borno model.”

Onoja assured critics that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the programme is currently under review. “We take your observations seriously… the review will be done, and you’ll hear our new operational directives for Operation Safe Corridor,” he stated.

His remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the effectiveness and moral implications of rehabilitating former insurgents.