By Darlington Onedibe
Active-duty Nigerian soldiers have strongly rejected a fresh move by military authorities to deploy rehabilitated, “repentant” Boko Haram terrorists into active military operations, citing severe risks of sabotage and intelligence leaks.
​Multiple military sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed deep resentment within the ranks over the controversial reintegration strategy. Soldiers argue that embedding former insurgents into ongoing operations compromises tactical security and insults the memory of troops who died fighting the insurgency.
Frontline soldiers fear that former terrorists still harbor sympathy for their old networks and could leak strategic operational plans, putting troops in direct ambush lines.
There is widespread anxiety that these individuals could compromise weapon stockpiles, communication channels, and base security during critical operations.
Officers noted that forcing troops to fight alongside men who previously engaged in the slaughter of civilians and military personnel has severely damaged morale across various battalions.
​”How can we trust a man who was shooting at us yesterday to cover our backs today?” one serving soldier questioned. “Rehabilitation on paper does not erase years of radicalization. This is a recipe for disaster from within.”
​The Nigerian military’s Operation Safe Corridor, established to de-radicalize and reintegrate ex-fighters, has long been a flashpoint of public and internal debate. While the defense headquarters maintains that the program weakens the insurgency by encouraging defections, the strategy faces immense pushback from both the public and the foot soldiers tasked with fighting the war.
​Military high command has not yet issued an official statement responding to the brewing internal resistance, but top sources indicate that tension remains high across several forward operating bases in the Northeast.
