Nigeria lawmakers seek end to terrorist rehabilitation

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called on the federal government to end the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists, kidnappers and bandits, arguing that the policy weakens efforts to tackle insecurity.

The resolution was adopted during Wednesday’s plenary session. The motion, sponsored by lawmaker Ademorin Kuye, urged authorities to strengthen efforts to disrupt the financing of terrorism and kidnapping.

House Committee on Navy Chairman Yusuf Gagdi told lawmakers that some former insurgents who completed rehabilitation programmes were allegedly responsible for leaking intelligence and compromising military operations, according to local media reports.

The motion also called for stronger financial intelligence, enhanced cooperation among security agencies, and stricter enforcement of anti-money laundering laws.

The rehabilitation initiative, known as Operation Safe Corridor, was launched in 2016 to encourage Boko Haram and other insurgents to surrender, undergo deradicalisation and vocational training, and return to their communities.

Supporters argue the programme helps reduce insurgency by encouraging defections, while critics say it denies justice to victims and poses security risks if rehabilitated ex-combatants return to violence.

Earlier this year, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said about 789 former terrorist combatants were enrolled in the programme.

The Senate previously passed a similar resolution calling for the programme to be discontinued.

SOURCE: MRA