The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen Yusuf Ali, has dismissed as false, misleading and entirely unfounded allegations that repentant and active Boko Haram members are being armed to fight alongside the Nigerian military.
Viral video clips surfaced online showing a visit by Danish vlogger Jones Raw to purported Boko Haram rehabilitation centres in Maiduguri.
The footage, shared on an X (formerly Twitter) account, BSN (@Barristerstreet), captured Raw interacting with groups of former insurgents who appeared heavily armed, with claims that they were being prepared to accompany Nigerian troops in operations against their former allies.
Reacting in a statement personally signed by him on Tuesday, the coordinator of the programme said the claim circulating in the viral video misrepresents the mandate and operations of the Operation Safe Corridor.
He said, “The attention of OPSC has been drawn to a widely circulated video and accompanying claims alleging that ‘repentant and active Boko Haram terrorists’ are being armed to fight alongside the Nigerian military under OPSC.
“It is necessary to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”
He clarified that OPSC remains a strictly non-kinetic, multi-agency programme focused on de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, stressing that participants are neither armed nor deployed for military operations.
“At no point are participants armed, mobilised, or deployed for combat operations. Upon completion of the programme, participants are formally handed over to relevant state authorities for reintegration and remain within established monitoring frameworks.
“The programme continues to serve as a critical component of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy by reducing the pool of fighters, encouraging voluntary disengagement, and supporting long-term national stability, ” he said.
Ali further distanced the programme from other initiatives, noting that several state-led De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration initiatives operate independently and are not under the control or supervision of the Defence Headquarters or the Federal Government.
“For clarity, it is important to state that there are several state-led De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration initiatives across the country which operate independently and are not under the control or supervision of the FGN or Defence Headquarters.
“Individuals processed through such state-level arrangements are not recognized as participants within the DHQ-led Operation SAFE CORRIDOR framework. This distinction is critical in addressing the misinformation being circulated, ” he said.
The coordinator also refuted claims regarding the location shown in the viral footage, insisting that the facility depicted is not the official OPSC camp.
He explained that the designated DRR facility is located in Mallam Sidi and operates as a secure and controlled military environment.
“The location shown in the video is clearly inconsistent with the OPSC facility, based on observable differences in structural design, layout, and operational setting,” he said.
Ali added that the Danish blogger identified as Jones Raw, along with individuals featured in the video, has no known association with OPSC and has never been granted access to its facility.
Describing the allegations as capable of undermining national security efforts, the coordinator said OPSC would not ignore narratives that could erode public confidence.
He noted that the programme operates with the support of international partners, including the European Union, which he said underscores its compliance with global standards and transparency.
In a move to counter the claims, OPSC invited the blogger and any interested and credible observers to undertake a coordinated visit to its camp in Mallam Sidi for independent verification of its activities.
“OPSC remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the effective execution of its mandate rooted in non-kinetic efforts towards ensuring national security and sustainable peace,” Ali added.
The PUNCH