Plan to reintegrate ‘repentant terrorists’ a dangerous policy, would worsen insecurity, ADC blasts Tinubu 

•Repentant Boko Haram terrorists

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government over reported plans to reintegrate hundreds of repentant terrorists into society, warning that such a move could undermine national security and deepen the trauma of victims of insurgency.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concern that the Tinubu administration’s approach reflects what it described as a troubling misunderstanding of the terrorism threat confronting the country.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken note of reports that the Tinubu administration is proceeding with plans to reintegrate hundreds of so-called repentant terrorists into society,” the statement said.

According to the party, the reported policy, alongside past official comments describing insurgents as “brothers” and “prodigal sons,” signals a worrying shift in how the government perceives terrorism.

“Taken together with a pattern of official remarks over time describing such individuals as ‘brothers’ and even ‘prodigal sons,’ this decision points to a deeper and more troubling reality: a government that does not fully grasp the nature or scale of the threat it faces,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC stressed that terrorism should not be treated lightly, warning against framing insurgency as a moral or familial issue.

“Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor. It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people. It has taken lives, destroyed communities, displaced millions, and undermined the very foundation of security and economic stability in our country,” the statement read.

The party argued that prioritising reintegration over accountability risks weakening Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.

“To respond to such a threat with language that softens its meaning, and policies that appear to prioritise rehabilitation ahead of accountability, is not compassion. It is weakness,” the ADC added.

The opposition party further accused the government of lacking a coherent security strategy, describing the approach as inconsistent and potentially dangerous.

“What Nigerians are witnessing is not a coherent security strategy. It is, at best, confusion dressed up as policy; at worst, a dangerous policy of political appeasement that compounds the tragedy of victims of terror,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC noted that while the government claims to be prosecuting a war against terrorism, it simultaneously appears ready to reintegrate insurgents without clear justice mechanisms.

“On one hand, the government claims to be prosecuting a war against terror. On the other, it appears eager to reintroduce insurgents… into society without first establishing clear processes for justice, without transparent standards for determining genuine repentance, and without credible safeguards to protect the communities they are being returned to,” the statement said.

“This is not balance. It is a dangerous failure of judgment and political accommodation taken too far.”

 

The party warned that reintegration without justice could embolden violent actors and discourage victims seeking closure.

 

“A government that treats terrorists as errant family members is a government that is dangerously soft on terror. And a government that cannot take a clear stand against its enemy cannot defeat it,” the statement continued.

 

“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice. It is facilitation. It sends the wrong signal to victims who are still waiting for closure, and even worse, it is a signal to those who may be considering violence that the cost of terror can be negotiated after the fact.”

 

The ADC also faulted the government for failing to provide clarity on the reintegration process.

 

“The Tinubu administration has failed to answer the most basic questions that any serious government must confront in a matter of this magnitude. Nigerians do not know who has been investigated, who has been prosecuted, or on what basis individuals are deemed safe for reintegration,” Abdullahi stated.

 

“There is no clarity on the systems that will monitor them after release, and no assurance that affected communities have been consulted or protected.”

 

The party maintained that terrorism remains an existential threat to Nigeria and must be addressed with firmness and accountability.

 

“The ADC believes that terrorism must be treated as what it is: an existential threat to the Nigerian state. Our approach will be rooted in clarity, accountability, and competence. Those who have committed grave crimes will face the full weight of the law, because justice is not optional in a society governed by laws,” the statement added.

 

The party emphasised that victims’ rights and community safety must remain central to any national security response.

 

“Above all, the safety of Nigerian communities will come first, and the voices and rights of victims will be central to any national response,” the ADC said.

Concluding, the party warned against sending mixed signals in the fight against terrorism.

“Nigeria cannot afford mixed signals in a fight that demands discipline and resolve. National security is not a guessing game, and it is not a space for sentiment to override judgment. It requires leadership that understands the stakes and is prepared to act with firmness and clarity.”