The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly refuted allegations that it pays monthly allowances or provides food to bandits and terrorists as part of its counter-insurgency strategy. The denial was made by the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, during a recent television interview.
Major General Onumajuru stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria do not support financial payments to criminal groups, adding that this approach has proven to be unhelpful in the past. He clarified that the military does, however, operate a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program, which assists ex-combatants in transitioning to civilian life. This program is designed for those who willingly lay down their weapons and are thoroughly profiled to determine their level of culpability.
The DDR process is anchored around Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for the North-East and Zamfara State for the North-West. Onumajuru explained that only individuals who are not found to be a threat are admitted into the program, while those deemed highly culpable face the law. He reiterated, “The armed forces of Nigeria do not support the payment of money to criminal groups. The armed forces of Nigeria are not part of that arrangement.”
The Defence Headquarters’ statement follows a claim by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who alleged that the federal government was empowering criminals by providing them with financial incentives and food. El-Rufai’s claims had previously been denied by both the Kaduna State government and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). General Onumajuru also commented on border security, emphasizing that community involvement is crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s borders.
