Boko Haram: Rehabilitation Without Justice Undermines Public Confidence -By Comrade Yekini Lukmon R. Afolabi

The Nigerian Senate’s recent call on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation programme for repentant Boko Haram members has rekindled a national debate on justice, security, and accountability. The resolution reflects the concerns of many Nigerians who believe that the country’s response to terrorism must place justice at its centre.

For over a decade, Boko Haram has carried out one of the deadliest insurgencies in Nigeria’s history. Thousands of lives have been lost, communities have been destroyed, and millions of citizens have been displaced. The social and economic costs of the insurgency continue to burden the nation. Against this backdrop, any policy perceived to reward or prematurely reintegrate former insurgents is bound to generate public unease.

The principle that no one is above the law should guide the nation’s approach to terrorism. Individuals who surrender or claim to have renounced violence should first undergo thorough investigation and, where sufficient evidence exists, be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Repentance, while commendable if genuine, should not replace legal accountability for serious crimes.

Rehabilitation has a place in every modern criminal justice system. However, it should form part of a structured correctional process rather than serve as an alternative to prosecution. Correctional facilities are designed not only to punish offenders but also to reform them through education, counselling, vocational training, and character development. Those who demonstrate genuine remorse should have access to such programmes while serving lawful sentences imposed by the courts.

Equally important is the need to consider the feelings of victims and affected communities. Thousands of Nigerians are still living with the trauma of losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to insurgent violence. Public confidence in government is weakened when victims perceive that offenders receive opportunities for rehabilitation without first answering for their actions through the justice system.

A comprehensive correctional programme can also produce economic value. Inmates can acquire practical skills and participate in productive activities that contribute to national development while preparing them for lawful reintegration into society. Upon completing their sentences, former offenders should be subject to appropriate monitoring and support to reduce the risk of reoffending and to encourage responsible citizenship.

Nigeria must continue to pursue peace, but lasting peace cannot be built on the perception that justice has been set aside. A balanced policy—one that combines accountability, rehabilitation, and reintegration within the framework of the law—offers a more credible path. Justice for victims and the rule of law must remain the foundation upon which every counterterrorism policy is built.