Opposition Party Slams FG Over Move to Reintegrate Hundreds of Ex-Terrorists

Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the federal government’s reported plan to release and reintegrate hundreds of former insurgents into society, warning that the decision could worsen the country’s already fragile security situation.

The backlash follows disclosures that more than 700 ex-fighters recently completed a government-backed deradicalisation programme and are being prepared for reintegration under a rehabilitation initiative.

In a sharply worded reaction, the opposition party argued that the move reflects a troubling approach to national security, suggesting authorities may be underestimating the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups. According to the ADC, portraying former militants as rehabilitated without sufficient guarantees raises serious concerns about public safety.

The party also faulted what it described as a pattern of leniency toward individuals previously involved in violent activities, insisting that justice for victims should take precedence over reintegration efforts. It warned that communities already affected by insurgency could be put at further risk if the programme is not handled with stricter safeguards.

Government officials, however, have maintained that the initiative part of a broader counterterrorism strategy aims to reduce violence by rehabilitating and reabsorbing repentant fighters into civilian life after undergoing training and counselling.

The development has sparked wider debate across the country, with critics questioning the balance between reconciliation and accountability in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.