ADC Faults FG Plan To Reintegrate 800 Repentant Terrorists

ADC criticised plan to reintegrate nearly 800 repentant terrorists
Party warned move could weaken security and hurt victims
Calls for justice, transparency in counter terrorism strategy

The African Democratic Congress has criticised the Federal Government over reports of plans to reintegrate nearly 800 repentant terrorists into communities, warning that the move could undermine efforts to combat insurgency.

In a statement, the party said the proposal raises concerns about national security, justice, and the safety of communities already affected by violence.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the position was contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who faulted the approach of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“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.

“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 said.

The party argued that the use of conciliatory language could downplay the seriousness of terrorism and blur the line between justice and leniency.

“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,” the statement added.

ADC warned that prioritising rehabilitation without accountability could worsen the pain of victims and send the wrong signal about the consequences of violent crimes.

“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,” Abdullahi said.

The party also questioned the clarity of the government’s strategy, noting that key details about investigations, prosecutions, and criteria for reintegration remain unclear.

“What Nigerians are witnessing is not a coherent security strategy. It is, at best, confusion dressed up as policy,” the statement said.

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The party insisted that justice must remain central to any counter terrorism approach, warning that any policy lacking transparency and accountability could weaken public trust and national security.