Defence Minister Christopher Musa has defended Operation Safe Corridor, insisting that the programme is not meant for combatant terrorists but for civilians caught up in terrorist camps.
According to him, military operations in Borno State identified three categories of people within terrorist enclaves: individuals forced into terrorism through coercion, civilians abducted and used as farmers or slaves, and the actual terrorist fighters responsible for attacks.
Musa explained that Operation Safe Corridor is designed for the first two groups, while combatant terrorists are separated and handed over to the Office of the Attorney-General for prosecution and imprisonment.
He further stated that international law requires surrendered enemies to be treated humanely.
“Combatants are held separately so that cases can be built against them for prosecution and imprisonment,” he said.
