*Warns of security risks
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s reported plan to reintegrate nearly 800 repentant terrorists into society, describing the move as a sign of weakness and a flawed approach to national security.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the policy reflects what he called a “dangerous softness on terror” by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The opposition party argued that the government’s language and policy direction suggest a misunderstanding of terrorism as a serious and existential threat to the country. It expressed concern over remarks by some officials who have reportedly described insurgents as “brothers” or “prodigal sons,” warning that such characterisations undermine the gravity of the crisis.
“Terrorism is not a family dispute,” Abdullahi said. “It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people.”
The ADC maintained that while the government claims to be prosecuting a war against terrorism, its reintegration plan appears to prioritise rehabilitation without first ensuring accountability and justice for victims.
According to the party, the absence of clear guidelines on prosecution, verification of repentance, and post-reintegration monitoring raises serious concerns about public safety. It warned that returning former insurgents to communities without adequate safeguards could expose citizens to renewed threats.
“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice,” the statement added, noting that such a policy could send the wrong signal to both victims and potential perpetrators.
The party also faulted the government for what it described as a lack of transparency in the process, saying Nigerians deserve to know how individuals selected for reintegration were screened and whether affected communities were consulted.
It further argued that the approach risks eroding public confidence in the government’s counterterrorism strategy and could be perceived as political appeasement rather than a coherent security policy.
The ADC insisted that any reintegration framework must be anchored on accountability, with offenders facing the full weight of the law before any consideration of rehabilitation.
The party urged the government to prioritise the safety of citizens and adopt a firmer, more transparent strategy in tackling insecurity, stressing that national security requires “clarity, discipline, and resolve” rather than what it described as mixed signals.
