Nigeria's ADC Criticizes Reintegration of 744 Ex-Insurgents

Nigeria's opposition African Democratic Congress has sharply criticized the federal government's decision to reintegrate 744 former insurgents into communities, arguing that the approach prioritizes rehabilitation over accountability and risks undermining the nation's fight against terrorism.

The criticism came in a statement issued on Sunday by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's national publicity secretary. It followed an announcement on Thursday in Gombe State, where officials revealed that the individuals had completed a deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration program under Operation Safe Corridor. Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, speaking at the graduation event, described the initiative as a key strategy to reduce violence, curb extremist recruitment, and foster long-term stability. The participants, drawn from states including Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Kano, include former members of insurgent groups as well as victims of violent extremism.

Abdullahi's statement highlighted concerns that the policy reflects a flawed understanding of terrorism's scale and impact. "Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor. It is a sustained and organized...