Boko Haram Are Still Nigerians— Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja Defends Rehabilitation Policy

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

Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, Onoja stressed that despite their cr+mes, insurgents remain citizens of the country.

“At the end of the day, the Boko Haram f+ghters are still considered Nigerians,” he said, noting that though they “may have erred” and “will definitely account for whatever they have done,” their nationality cannot be ignored.

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, that line of reasoning informed 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 has become known as the “Borno model.”

Onoja assured critics that their concerns are being taken seriously, adding that authorities are reviewing the programme.

“We take your observations seriously… the review will be done, and you’ll hear our new operational directives for Operation Safe Corridor,” he stated.

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