The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to reintegrate hundreds of former insurgents into society, saying the approach shows a dangerous softness towards terrorism.
In a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity
Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said recent comments by government
officials describing insurgents as brothers and prodigal sons, alongside plans
to reintegrate them, reveal a troubling misunderstanding of the threat posed by
terrorism.
According to the ADC, terrorism should not be treated
lightly or compared to family disputes.
“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 said.
The party warned that responding to such a serious threat
with soft language and policies that appear to favour rehabilitation over
justice is dangerous.
“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,” it added.
The ADC said the government’s current approach does not
reflect a clear or effective security strategy, describing it as confused and
potentially harmful.
“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,” the party stated.
It further argued that there is a contradiction in the
government’s position, stating: “On one hand, the government claims to be
prosecuting a war against terror.
“On the other, it appears eager to reintroduce insurgents,
who have waged a war against the Nigerian state, 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.
“This is not balance. It is a dangerous failure of judgement
and political accommodation taken too far.”
The party raised concerns over the lack of transparency in
the reintegration plan.
They questioned how individuals are selected and whether
proper safeguards are in place to protect communities.
“Nigerians do not know who has been investigated, who has
been prosecuted, or on what basis individuals are deemed safe for
reintegration,” it said.
The ADC also pointed out that there is no clarity on how the
individuals would be monitored after their return, or whether affected
communities were consulted.
The party warned that reintegrating former fighters without
justice could send the wrong message to victims and even encourage further
violence.
“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.
“Above all, the safety of Nigerian communities will come
first, and the voices and rights of victims will be central to any national
response.
“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 judgement. It requires leadership that
understands the stakes and is prepared to act with firmness and clarity,” the
party added.
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