Oluyede Defends Offering Terrorists Chance to Repent

Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa Oluyede has defended the Nigerian military’s policy of offering terrorists an opportunity to surrender and repent rather than employing immediate lethal force.

Speaking Tuesday at the Nigerian Armed Forces’ inaugural lecture in Abuja, General Oluyede addressed public concerns over persistent attacks. “People are asking why we are not killing terrorists even if they have killed others. Well, even in the Bible, the prodigal son was given a chance, so we should give terrorists a chance to repent if they want to,” he stated.

He emphasized that most insurgents are Nigerians, making rehabilitation a strategic priority. “Because these are Nigerians mostly, so it is important for us to give them that window to repent rather than pushing them to the extreme,” Oluyede added.

The approach aligns with Nigeria’s Operation Safe Corridor, a deradicalization program launched in 2016. According to the United Nations Development Programme, similar reintegration initiatives operate in over 50 countries, though results vary. Saudi Arabia’s program reports 10-15% recidivism, while Afghanistan’s efforts showed limited long-term success, per SIGAR reports.

However, human rights groups urge caution. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for greater transparency in Nigeria’s process, emphasizing that victims deserve accountability and that serious crimes must not go unpunished.

Security analysts note that while defection programs can weaken insurgent groups, they must be paired with robust screening and justice mechanisms. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project records over 3,000 conflict-related fatalities in Nigeria in 2024 alone, underscoring the urgency of an effective strategy.

The military clarified that surrender offers do not grant immunity; individuals undergo screening, and those implicated in grave violations face prosecution. Forces retain the right to use lethal force against active threats.