The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a swipe at the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, over his description of terrorists as "sons of Nigeria". This comment has been met with criticism from the party, who see it as a weakening of the country's fight against insecurity.
The ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed his party's concerns in a post on X. He noted that such rhetoric reflects a mindset that tolerates criminality rather than confronting it. The ADC cited a similar remark made by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was accused of describing terrorists as "brothers".
Abdullahi warned that framing terrorists in familial terms blurs the moral and legal boundaries required for an effective security response. He argued that this approach helps explain why efforts to curb killings have struggled to deliver results.
The ADC is calling for a change in the prevailing approach to security, insisting that the situation must not be allowed to persist. The party's stance is a clear indication of their dissatisfaction with the current security measures in place.
The Chief of Defence Staff's comment is a stark reminder of the country's flawed approach to security. By referring to terrorists as "sons of Nigeria", General Oluyede is essentially downplaying the severity of the threat they pose. This kind of rhetoric emboldens terrorists and undermines the morale of our security forces. The ADC's criticism is well-founded, and it's high time the government takes a more serious stance against terrorism. The consequences of inaction are dire, and Nigerians deserve better.
