By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised plans by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reintegrate nearly 800 former insurgents into Nigerian communities, warning that the move signals what it described as “dangerous softness on terror.”
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the policy reflects a troubling misunderstanding of the nature of terrorism and poses potential risks to national security.
The ADC expressed concern over recent remarks by some government officials who reportedly described repentant insurgents as “brothers” and “prodigal sons,” arguing that such language, alongside the reintegration plan, undermines the seriousness of terrorism as a threat to the Nigerian state.
“Terrorism is not a family dispute,” the statement said. “It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence that has claimed lives, displaced millions, and weakened the country’s security and economic stability.”
The party warned that reintegrating former fighters without clear processes for justice, accountability, and verification of repentance could embolden violent actors and deny victims a sense of closure.
According to the ADC, the government has yet to provide sufficient details on how the individuals earmarked for reintegration were screened, whether they have faced prosecution, and what mechanisms are in place to monitor them after their return to civilian life.
It added that the absence of transparency and community consultation raises serious concerns about the safety of affected communities.
The party further described the policy as inconsistent with the government’s stated commitment to combating insurgency, noting that reintroducing former combatants without robust safeguards could undermine ongoing security efforts against groups such as Boko Haram.
“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice,” the statement added, stressing that national security requires firm and decisive leadership rather than what it termed political accommodation.
The ADC maintained that any approach to tackling terrorism must prioritise accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens, while ensuring that victims’ rights remain central to the process.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued a detailed public response to the concerns raised.
