The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a leading opposition party in Nigeria, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over its contentious plan to reintegrate hundreds of 'former insurgents' into society. The party argues that this policy, aimed at rehabilitating 'repentant terrorists', represents a dangerous failure of judgment that could undermine justice and embolden future acts of terrorism. Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, accused the Nigerian Government of prioritizing rehabilitation efforts over crucial accountability for past atrocities.

This sharp criticism comes in response to reports detailing the graduation of at least 744 'repentant terrorists' from the government's deradicalisation program, known as Operation Safe Corridor. These individuals are now slated for reintegration into communities across Nigeria. A significant majority of these beneficiaries, specifically 597, hail from Borno State in the North-East, a region heavily impacted by insurgency. Other former fighters are from Adamawa, Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states, with a small number identified as foreign nationals from neighboring Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

The ADC contends that the government's approach reflects a profound misunderstanding of the grave nature of terrorism. Abdullahi firmly stated, "Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor," directly challenging official rhetoric that has sometimes framed insurgents as 'brothers' or 'prodigal sons'. According to the ADC, such language diminishes the severity of the threat and sends a detrimental message to both victims and potential perpetrators. The party described the current strategy as "confusion dressed up as policy" or, worse, a "dangerous policy of political appeasement."

A primary concern raised by the ADC is the potential for renewed insecurity if former fighters are reintegrated without clear judicial processes, transparent standards for determining genuine repentance, and robust monitoring mechanisms. They warn that already traumatized communities could be further exposed to danger. In contrast, the Nigerian Government steadfastly defends the initiative as an essential component of its broader counter-terrorism strategy. Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Gombe, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, clarified that the program is not an amnesty but rather a structured effort designed to reduce violence and curb extremist recruitment. He emphasized, "This is not a reward for wrongdoing. It is a deliberate strategy to ensure long-term national stability."

Military authorities have outlined that participants in Operation Safe Corridor undergo several months of rehabilitation, which includes psychological counselling, vocational training, religious reorientation, and civic education, all aimed at preparing them for civilian life. Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, also addressed public concerns, dismissing claims that ex-terrorists were being recruited into the military, attributing such notions to misinformation.

Despite these assurances, the ADC remains unconvinced, maintaining that the program suffers from a significant lack of transparency and accountability. The party has posed critical questions regarding the criteria used to vet these former fighters, the extent of any prosecution they may have faced, and the specific safeguards in place to monitor them post-reintegration. "Nigerians do not know who has been investigated, who has been prosecuted, or on what basis individuals are deemed safe," Abdullahi asserted. He further argued that "Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice," sending a wrong signal to victims still awaiting closure and suggesting that the cost of terror can be negotiated.

The ADC also highlighted the marginalization of insurgency victims, many of whom are displaced or have suffered immense personal and economic losses. The party warned that compelling communities to accept former fighters without prior consultation or adequate security guarantees risks deepening distrust and reopening old wounds in regions already scarred by years of violence. The ADC concluded by stating, "Terrorism is an existential threat to the Nigerian state," and insisted that any governmental response must prioritize justice, victim rights, and community safety over what it terms "sentiment-driven policies."