The Nigerian Senate has taken a firm stand against the Federal Government’s controversial policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating so called repentant Boko Haram fighters into society, arguing that the approach has outlived its usefulness and should give way to justice, accountability and stronger national security measures. The latest position comes amid growing public outrage over the country’s worsening security crisis and repeated attacks by terrorists and bandits across several states.
The debate surrounding the controversial Operation Safe Corridor programme has intensified in recent months, with many Nigerians questioning the wisdom of allowing former insurgents to return to communities that were once devastated by their violent activities. Introduced in 2016 as a deradicalisation and rehabilitation initiative, the programme was designed to encourage terrorists to surrender and embrace peaceful living. However, critics argue that it has failed to prioritise justice for victims while raising concerns about the possibility of former fighters returning to criminal activities.
According to the Senate, the nation’s security strategy should focus on investigating, prosecuting and punishing individuals responsible for acts of terrorism before any form of mercy or rehabilitation is considered. Lawmakers stressed that allowing suspected terrorists to reintegrate into society without full accountability undermines public confidence in the justice system and sends the wrong message to criminal groups still operating across the country. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The renewed criticism follows increasing insecurity across Nigeria, including attacks on civilians, military personnel and retired security officers. The Senate has also urged the Federal Government to strengthen military operations, improve intelligence gathering, deploy advanced surveillance technology and enhance collaboration among security agencies to confront terrorism, banditry and kidnapping more effectively.
Many security analysts and victims of insurgency have long maintained that rehabilitation should never replace justice, insisting that communities still grieving the loss of loved ones deserve accountability before former fighters are welcomed back into society. They argue that national healing can only be achieved when perpetrators of heinous crimes face the full weight of the law while genuine reconciliation follows due legal process.
With the Senate now openly challenging the policy, attention has shifted to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and whether it will review or discontinue the controversial rehabilitation programme. The development has reignited a national conversation about balancing national security, justice for victims and long term peace as Nigeria continues its fight against terrorism.
