The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Federal Government's reported plan to reintegrate nearly 800 former insurgents into local communities. The opposition party called the move "dangerous softness on terror" and criticised what it described as a lack of strategic clarity in national security policy. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed alarm over government officials referring to insurgents as "brothers" or "prodigal sons." The party argued that such language reflects a "troubling misunderstanding of terrorism as an existential threat" rather than a sustained campaign of violence against the Nigerian state.
The ADC stated that terrorism has claimed lives, destroyed communities, displaced millions, and weakened national stability. It warned that prioritising rehabilitation over justice risks emboldening violent actors and eroding public trust. The party pointed to the absence of clear standards for determining genuine repentance, visible justice frameworks, or credible safeguards for receiving communities. "Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice," the statement said. The ADC also raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding investigations, prosecutions, and monitoring mechanisms for those to be reintegrated.
The ADC highlights a contradiction in the government's stance: waging war on terrorism while using familial language like "brothers" for insurgents and planning reintegration without proven accountability. If nearly 800 former fighters are to return to communities without transparent justice processes, victims of attacks may reasonably feel their suffering is being disregarded. This approach risks normalising violence by suggesting consequences can be negotiated after the fact. Without clear evidence of reform or safeguards, the policy could deepen distrust between citizens and the state.
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