Deji Adeyanju, a rights activist and lawyer, has criticised the Federal Government (FG) over what he described as the continued pardon, negotiation and appeasement of bandits and terrorists, warning that the approach poses a serious threat to national security.
In a Facebook statement on Monday, Adeyanju said negotiating with terrorists, paying them or granting them forgiveness amounts to indirect financing of terrorism.
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According to him, terrorism and banditry are criminal acts that should be met with arrests, prosecution and imprisonment, not negotiations or concessions.
“Terrorists do not repent, and banditry is not a misunderstanding that can be resolved at negotiation tables,” Adeyanju said.
“These are criminals who should be arrested, prosecuted and jailed, not hosted in Government Houses or rewarded with concessions.”
He argued that forgiving terrorists is alien to any serious state and sets a dangerous precedent, sending a signal that taking up arms, killing citizens and destabilising the country attracts rewards.
Adeyanju warned that such actions could encourage more people to engage in criminal activities, as they may believe the government would eventually negotiate, compensate or grant amnesty.
“The message being sent is that crime pays,” he said.
The activist also drew a comparison between alleged terrorists and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
According to Adeyanju, terrorists who have killed thousands of Nigerians are being embraced by the government, while Kanu, whom he said has not physically killed anyone despite allegations of incitement, remains in detention.
He said the approach undermines justice and threatens the foundation of national security in the long run.
“This inconsistency erodes public confidence in the justice system and weakens the fight against insecurity,” Adeyanju added.
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