Human rights activist and convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, has strongly criticised the federal government’s continued negotiation, pardon and alleged appeasement of bandits and terrorists, warning that the approach poses a serious threat to national security.
In a statement on Monday, Adeyanju described the policy of negotiating with and forgiving armed groups as tantamount to indirect financing of terrorism.
He argued that terrorists do not repent and that banditry is not a misunderstanding that can be resolved through dialogue.
According to him, individuals involved in terrorism and banditry should be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned, rather than being hosted by government officials or rewarded with concessions.
He said the practice of forgiving terrorists is alien to any serious state and sets a dangerous precedent.
Adeyanju warned that such actions send a message that taking up arms, killing citizens and destabilising the country can yield rewards, thereby encouraging more people to engage in criminal activities.
He noted that others may be emboldened to resort to violence, believing the government will eventually negotiate with, compensate or pardon them.
Drawing a comparison, Adeyanju said some of the terrorists being engaged by the government have committed crimes far more severe than those attributed to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He pointed out that while Kanu faces allegations of incitement, he has not been accused of personally killing anyone, unlike terrorists who have allegedly slaughtered thousands of Nigerians.
Adeyanju noted that embracing such criminals undermines justice and threatens the foundation of Nigeria’s national security in the long term.
According to Adeyanju: “The continued negotiation, payment, forgiveness, and appeasement of bandits and terrorists by the government amounts to indirect financing of terrorism.
“Terrorists do not repent, and banditry is not a misunderstanding that can be settled across negotiation tables. These are criminals who should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed, not hosted in Government Houses or rewarded with concessions.
“The idea of forgiving terrorists is alien to any serious state; it sets a dangerous precedent and sends the message that taking up arms, killing citizens, and destabilizing the country pays.
“It encourages more criminality, as others will be emboldened to bear arms knowing the government will eventually negotiate, compensate, and beg them.
“These terrorists have committed far worse crimes than Nnamdi Kanu for example, who, whatever the allegations of incitement, did not physically kill anyone.
“Yet thousands of Nigerians have been slaughtered by terrorists who are now being embraced by our government. This approach undermines the idea of justice and it threatens the foundation of national security in the long run.”