The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has defended the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists, likening insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East to the biblical prodigal son.
Mr Oluyede made the remarks during the Armed Forces inaugural lecture at the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Abuja.
Addressing concerns over Operation Safe Corridor, a government programme designed to deradicalise and reintegrate former insurgents, the CDS acknowledged public outrage over granting amnesty to individuals accused of violent crimes.
“Talking about Operation Safe Corridor, so many people have asked that question: why do we need to rehabilitate criminals? They all should be killed because they have killed people. Well, that may make sense,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with the biblical story of the prodigal son, Mr Oluyede argued that offering insurgents an opportunity to return to society is necessary.
“But even in the Bible, we heard about the prodigal son. If there was not that window for the man to come back, would they have come back?” he asked.
He stressed that many of the insurgents are Nigerians and should be given a chance to renounce violence voluntarily.
“So the point is that these are Nigerians, mostly. And it’s important for us to give them that window to repent, if they want, rather than pushing them to the extreme — to say, ‘It’s either we kill you, or you continue with the adventure,’” he added.
Mr Oluyede also called for greater understanding and support from lawmakers, noting that the Defence Headquarters currently shoulders the responsibility for the rehabilitation programme.
Public Backlash
The CDS’s comments have sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the morality and effectiveness of rehabilitating terrorists while attacks persist.
An X user, @Naija_Realtalk, wrote: “Giving terrorists a ‘biblical chance’ while citizens die on our soil is not mercy—it’s a policy of pain. Repentance is personal; security is the government’s duty.”
Another user, @akindology, accused the government of failing in its primary responsibility to protect citizens.
“How can someone confirmed to have killed, displaced, and dehumanised citizens be treated with such dignity? This government is not ready and is unwilling to protect its citizens,” the user said.
Similarly, @emini_lanre warned that such policies could embolden criminality, while @iamrichygold criticised the use of religious analogies in national security matters.
Ongoing Security Concerns
Mr Oluyede’s remarks come amid persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgent attacks, abductions, and killings have continued for over a decade.
A recent attack in Borno State reportedly left more than 20 people dead, while reports indicate that the Nigerian government paid about ₦10 billion to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, according to AFP.
The insurgency gained global attention in 2014 when Boko Haram abducted more than 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.
