‘Terrorists Can’t Truly Repent’: Nigerians Fault FG’s Reintegration Programme

The Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration initiative for former insurgents, Operation Safe Corridor, has come under renewed criticism as many Nigerians insist that terrorists cannot genuinely repent or be safely trusted back into society.

The programme, introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, was designed to rehabilitate surrendered Boko Haram members and encourage peaceful reintegration as part of efforts to end insurgency in the North-East.

Buhari later reaffirmed the policy in March 2018 while receiving schoolgirls rescued after the Dapchi abduction in Yobe State, saying repentant insurgents willing to surrender “unconditionally” would be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

Authorities say the initiative seeks to reduce violence, save lives and promote long-term peace through non-kinetic counter-terrorism measures.

On June 13, 2026, the Borno State Government reintegrated another group of former insurgents comprising 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children after completing rehabilitation and vocational programmes in Maiduguri. The state disclosed that 9,680 repentant terrorists have so far passed through the programme.

The latest reintegration exercise has, however, sparked outrage among many Nigerians who believe the policy rewards criminals while victims and displaced communities continue to suffer.

Speaking on the issue, former INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba said the policy remains controversial because victims still carry deep emotional scars.

“To soldiers sacrificing their lives and victims grieving their losses, it feels like a reward for violence,” he said, adding that reintegration efforts remain poorly implemented and underfunded.

Elder Joseph Ambakederimo of the South South Reawakening Group argued that terrorists should not be granted second chances.

“My position is that any identified terrorist should be neutralized,” he stated, urging government to intensify military offensives against insurgent enclaves.

Critics also questioned the credibility of the repentance process, warning that some insurgents could exploit the programme to infiltrate communities and security institutions.

“A reformed terrorist cannot be trusted,” said Niger Delta Peace Coalition Coordinator, Zik Gbemre, who warned that Nigeria lacks the capacity to effectively track reintegrated ex-combatants.

Human rights activist Barr. Femi Aborisade said rehabilitation without accountability risks undermining justice for victims.

“Rehabilitation should not become a substitute for justice,” he warned, stressing that the government must publish verifiable data on the programme’s effectiveness and long-term outcomes.

Some stakeholders nevertheless argued that rehabilitation could still play a role in weakening insurgent groups if carefully managed.

Coalition of Democratic Formations Secretary, Nelson Ekujumi, said not all insurgents joined terrorist groups willingly and noted that reintegration could help depopulate terrorist camps.

Former NBA Vice Chairman Moruff Balogun also maintained that genuine repentance is possible but cannot be judged by oath-taking ceremonies alone.

“Repentance is not the same as trust,” Balogun said. “The answer lies in their conduct over time.”

Across the country, many Nigerians continue to demand stronger accountability, better support for victims and stricter monitoring mechanisms for anyone returning to society through Operation Safe Corridor.

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