Nigerians Reject Reintegration Of Repentant Terrorists

A growing number of Nigerians have voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reinating former terrorists, insisting that those responsible for violence and destruction should face justice rather than be welcomed back into society.

The criticism follows the recent reintegration of 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children in Borno State as part of the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor programme. The initiative, launched in 2016 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to rehabilitate and deradicalise insurgents who voluntarily surrendered.

The latest group, described as low-risk former insurgents, completed rehabilitation programmes that included counselling, religious reorientation and vocational training before being returned to their communities.

However, the programme has continued to spark nationwide debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether terrorists can genuinely abandon extremist ideologies and become productive members of society.

Former President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, acknowledged that Operation Safe Corridor serves as a non-kinetic counter-terrorism strategy but argued that its implementation remains deeply flawed.

According to him, while authorities claim low recidivism rates and thousands of successful surrenders, the lack of independent verification and inadequate community reintegration measures have weakened public confidence in the programme.

Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, maintained that terrorists should not be given a second chance. He argued that identified terrorists should be neutralised and that the government must focus on providing adequate support and welfare for troops battling insurgency.

Similarly, Delta State civil society leader, Deacon Okezi Odugala, described the reintegration policy as dangerous and counterproductive. He said the programme sends the wrong message by appearing to reward individuals accused of committing grave crimes while victims continue to suffer.

Several public commentators also questioned the sincerity of former insurgents who swear oaths of repentance before reintegration.

Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, Zik Gbemre, warned that declarations of repentance do not automatically prove a change of mindset. He stressed that Nigeria lacks the monitoring systems needed to effectively track rehabilitated insurgents after they leave government facilities.

Others argued that the programme has negatively affected the morale of military personnel who risk their lives fighting terrorism. They noted that many soldiers and victims view the rehabilitation initiative as unfair because former insurgents receive training, support packages and economic assistance while affected communities struggle with poverty and displacement.

Executive Director of Vital Partners for Development, Dr. Victor David, said repentance should not be determined solely through religious oaths. He called for greater transparency regarding the programme’s outcomes and stronger mechanisms to ensure that reintegrated individuals do not return to violence.

Human rights activist Barrister Femi Aborisade also urged the government to strike a balance between rehabilitation and justice. He argued that while people can change, individuals accused of serious crimes must still be held accountable through lawful processes.

The debate intensified following Borno State’s announcement that more than 9,600 former insurgents have been reintegrated since the programme began.

Critics insist that government resources should be directed toward victims of terrorism, displaced persons and the families of fallen security personnel. They argue that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without addressing the grievances of those who suffered during years of insurgency.

Supporters of the programme, however, maintain that rehabilitation and reintegration remain important tools in weakening terrorist organisations by encouraging defections and reducing recruitment.

As discussions continue, many Nigerians are calling for increased transparency, stronger monitoring systems and greater support for victims to ensure that efforts to end insurgency do not undermine justice or national security.