Guardians of Peace, Victims of Betrayal: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Military Personnel Navigating Scepticism, Trust, and Hope in Nigeria’s Operation Safe Corridor

Abstract

While Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programmes are essential to post-conflict peacebuilding, their success depends on the perception and buy-in of key stakeholders, including security forces. This article examines the lived experiences of military personnel implementing Nigeria’s flagship deradicalisation and reintegration initiative, Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC). While OPSC involves multiple actors, including correctional officers, psychologists, and religious counsellors, the present study focuses specifically on frontline soldiers stationed at the Mallam Sidi deradicalisation camp in Gombe State. These military personnel, many of whom were previously engaged in direct combat with Boko Haram, are now tasked with facilitating the reintegration of those same adversaries. These personnel express deep uncertainty and a cautious optimism towards the programme. Drawing on qualitative interviews analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study introduces a betrayal–redemption framework to capture the psychosocial experiences of these frontline implementers. Narratives of betrayal, by government institutions, colleagues, and communities, reveal the depth of institutional neglect, mistrust, and scepticism about ex-combatants’ repentance, all of which shape the operational identity of these actors. Yet a parallel, more hopeful view emerged, marked by cautious optimism, signs of post-traumatic growth, and acknowledgement of the programme’s role in intelligence gathering and enhancing local security. This dual perspective provides both conceptual and practical insights. Conceptually, it enriches DDR scholarship by foregrounding implementers’ emotional labour, a dimension often overlooked in existing research. Practically, it highlights the need for staff support systems, welfare reforms, and monitoring safeguards to ensure the sustainability of DDR efforts, describing it as a necessary, albeit imperfect, step toward peace. This article argues that reintegration risk facing challenges without putting into consideration the perceptions and experiences of those charged with delivering it.