Abuja, NIGERIA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s decision to reintegrate hundreds of “repentant” terrorists into society, describing the move as a dangerous policy of political appeasement.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, April 19, 2026, the National Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that treating insurgents as “errant family members” reflects a fundamental failure to grasp the scale of the security threat facing Nigeria.
Okay News understands that the party’s reaction follows the government’s announcement on Saturday, April 18, to reintegrate 744 former terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.
Abdullahi criticised the Tinubu administration for using language that “softens” the meaning of terrorism, noting that referring to violent extremists as “brothers” or “prodigal sons” undermines the search for justice for millions of displaced victims. “Terrorism is not a family dispute; it is a sustained campaign of violence against the Nigerian state,” Abdullahi stated. He warned that releasing insurgents without transparent standards for genuine repentance or credible safeguards for host communities constitutes a “dangerous failure of judgment.”
The ADC further alleged that the lack of clarity on who has been investigated or prosecuted makes the strategy look like “abdication, if not collaboration.” The party maintained that national security should not be a “guessing game” where sentiment overrides firm leadership. Abdullahi insisted that any serious approach to reconciliation must be rooted in accountability, ensuring that those who committed grave crimes face the full weight of the law.
While the Federal Government maintains that the programme targets “low-risk” individuals primarily from Borno and Yobe states to provide vocational training and civic reorientation, the ADC insists that the safety of communities and the rights of victims must come first.
The Tinubu administration has not yet issued a formal response to the ADC’s specific allegations regarding the “political accommodation” of terrorists as of Sunday evening.
