Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) is strategically designed to shrink the recruitment pipelines of terrorist groups and bandit networks by encouraging voluntary surrender and rehabilitation.

The coordinator of OPSC, Yusuf Ali, said this on Tuesday in Abuja during the Defence Headquarters’ media briefing on ongoing military operations.

He explained that OPSC was not a physical location but an idea conceptualised around 2015–2016 at the peak of insurgency in the North-East.

According to him, the initiative was introduced to address the challenge of handling individuals classified as “low-risk” who voluntarily surrendered during military operations.

“Operation Safe Corridor is not a geographical entity; it is an idea.

“It was created at a time when many individuals, mostly conscripted or forced into terrorist groups, began surrendering as troops intensified operations and reclaimed occupied communities,” he said.

Mr Ali said many of the individuals were forcefully recruited when insurgents occupied communities such as Madagali and other population centres, where able-bodied men were conscripted or abducted.

He said others were ambushed while travelling and forced to work for insurgents in various capacities.

“As operations intensified, many of them seized the opportunity to escape and surrender.

“The question then was: what do we do with them? That led to the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

The coordinator said the classification of surrendered individuals into low, medium and high-risk categories was carried out through a multi-agency screening process.

He said over 17 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the Ministry of Justice, were involved in the process, along with international partners.

“The Ministry of Justice is responsible for screening and determining those with no case to answer.

“Those considered victims of circumstances are classified as low-risk and handed over to Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

Mr Ali said individuals classified as high-risk, including core fighters captured during operations, were prosecuted under the criminal justice system.

He added that the programme operated alongside the criminal justice system, which continued to prosecute and imprison convicted terrorists.

“There are two systems at play: the criminal justice system and transitional justice.

“Those found guilty are tried and sentenced, while Operation Safe Corridor handles those without criminal liability,” he explained.

He said participants in the programme undergo deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration processes, including psychosocial support and vocational training.

According to him, agencies such as the Nigerian Correctional Service handle deradicalisation, while the National Directorate of Employment provides skills acquisition training.

He added that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also supports the programme by addressing substance abuse issues among participants.

“At the end of the programme, they are equipped with skills such as tailoring, welding and other trades to enable them to become productive members of society,” he said.

Mr Ali stated that Operation Safe Corridor was neither a recruitment channel into the Armed Forces nor a reward system for criminality.

He said, “Operation Safe Corridor is not a place to recruit people into the Nigerian Army. The Armed Forces have their own recruitment procedures.

“It is also not a system that rewards criminality. Those found guilty are prosecuted and serving sentences.”

He said the programme complemented ongoing military operations by addressing the root causes of insurgency and promoting community reintegration and peace-building.

Mr Ali added that frequently asked questions on the programme had been documented to address public misconceptions and would be shared with stakeholders.

He urged Nigerians to support the initiative, noting that it remained a critical component of the country’s counter-terrorism strategy.

(NAN)