The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over emerging reports that the Tinubu administration is advancing plans to reintegrate hundreds of individuals described as “repentant terrorists” back into society. The party believes that this development, when viewed alongside a pattern of official remarks referring to such individuals as “brothers” and even “prodigal sons,” raises serious questions about the government’s understanding of the gravity and complexity of the security challenges facing Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party said that terrorism is a deliberate and sustained campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its citizens while emphasizing that terrorist activities have resulted in the loss of countless lives, the destruction of entire communities, widespread displacement, and a significant erosion of national security and economic stability. The party therefore maintained that framing such acts in soft or symbolic language, or pursuing policies that appear to prioritize rehabilitation over accountability, risks undermining the seriousness of the threat, insisting that compassion must not come at the expense of justice or national security.

According to the ADC, what Nigerians are witnessing does not reflect a clear or coherent security strategy. Instead, it appears to signal a troubling inconsistency in policy direction. The party stated that on one hand, the government asserts that it is engaged in a determined fight against terrorism but on the other, it seems willing to reintroduce individuals who have actively participated in violent insurgency into civilian life without first establishing transparent mechanisms for justice, credible processes for determining genuine repentance, or sufficient safeguards to protect affected communities.

The party maintained its stance that this contradiction presents a dangerous lapse in judgment as reintegration, when pursued without due process and accountability, risks sending the wrong message—not only to victims who continue to seek justice and closure, but also to those who may perceive such actions as an indication that the consequences of terrorism can ultimately be mitigated or negotiated.

The ADC emphasized that a government that frames terrorists as errant family members risks appearing overly lenient in the face of a serious national threat, adding that such an approach weakens the moral and strategic clarity required to effectively combat terrorism. The party warned that reintegration without justice is not reconciliation but rather a distortion of justice that could inadvertently enable further insecurity.

The ADC therefore established its firm belief that terrorism must be addressed with the seriousness it demands—as an existential threat to the Nigerian state, adding that any effective response must be grounded in clarity of purpose, adherence to the rule of law, and institutional competence. The party reiterated that individuals who have committed grave crimes must be held accountable through established legal frameworks, insisting that justice is not optional. It is fundamental to the preservation of order and trust in society.

In conclusion, the party emphasized that the voices, rights, and experiences of victims must remain central to any policy response, adding that their need for justice, recognition, and protection cannot be overlooked in the pursuit of expedient solutions.