SUNTV Global Channel | April 19, 2026
The (ADC) has strongly criticised the administration of President over plans to reintegrate hundreds of former insurgents into communities across the country, describing the move as risky and poorly conceived.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, , the opposition party warned that releasing over 700 “repentant terrorists” without clear accountability measures could endanger public safety and undermine justice.
The criticism follows reports that about 744 ex-fighters have completed the Federal Government’s deradicalisation initiative under Operation Safe Corridor and are set to be returned to society. A large number of the beneficiaries are from , with others drawn from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states, as well as a few from neighbouring countries.
The ADC described the policy as a “dangerous failure of judgment,” arguing that terrorism should not be treated lightly or framed in sentimental terms.
“Terrorism is not a family dispute,” Abdullahi said, warning that portraying insurgents as “repentant brothers” risks trivialising the severity of their crimes.
The party further questioned the transparency of the programme, asking how participants were vetted, whether they were prosecuted, and what monitoring systems are in place after their reintegration.
“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice,” the party stated, adding that victims of insurgency—many of whom remain displaced—are being sidelined in the process.
However, the has defended the initiative, insisting it is a strategic component of counter-terrorism efforts aimed at reducing violence and preventing further recruitment into extremist groups.
Chief of Defence Staff, , stated that the programme is not an amnesty but a structured rehabilitation process designed to promote long-term national stability.
According to military authorities, participants undergo months of psychological counselling, vocational training, and civic reorientation to prepare them for civilian life.
Despite these assurances, the ADC maintains that the programme lacks sufficient safeguards and could expose already traumatised communities to renewed insecurity if not properly managed.
The development has sparked renewed debate over how Nigeria should balance justice, security, and rehabilitation in its fight against insurgency.
