The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised reports that the Tinubu administration is moving ahead with plans to reintegrate hundreds of so-called repentant terrorists into society, warning that the approach reflects a dangerous misreading of the country’s security realities.

In a post shared on his X account on Sunday by spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdulahi, the party said the move, coupled with a pattern of official remarks referring to such individuals as “brothers” and “prodigal sons,” suggests a troubling lack of clarity about the nature and scale of the threat confronting Nigeria.

“Terrorism is not a family dispute. It is not a moral metaphor,” the ADC said. “It is a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its people.”

According to the party, insurgency has killed thousands, destroyed communities, displaced millions, and eroded both national security and economic stability. It argued that framing such a threat in conciliatory terms, while prioritising reintegration over accountability, risks undermining justice and emboldening perpetrators.

“What Nigerians are witnessing is not a coherent security strategy,” the statement added. “At best, it is confusion dressed up as policy; at worst, it is a dangerous form of political appeasement that compounds the suffering of victims.”

The ADC pointed to what it described as a glaring contradiction: a government that claims to be waging war on terror, yet appears willing to reintroduce former insurgents into society without transparent judicial processes, clear benchmarks for establishing genuine repentance, or credible safeguards for host communities.

“This is not balance—it is a failure of judgment,” the party said.

It warned that reintegration without justice undermines the rule of law and sends a dangerous signal that acts of terror may ultimately carry negotiable consequences.

“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice,” the ADC stated. “It denies victims closure and risks encouraging others to believe that violence can be absolved without accountability.”

The party also faulted the government for failing to address critical questions surrounding the policy, including who has been investigated or prosecuted, the criteria used to determine eligibility for reintegration, and the mechanisms in place to monitor such individuals after release.

“In the absence of transparency, what is being presented as strategy begins to look like abdication,” it warned.

Reaffirming its position, the ADC said terrorism must be treated as an existential threat requiring firm, consistent, and accountable responses.

“Our approach is rooted in clarity, accountability, and competence. Those who commit grave crimes must face the full weight of the law. Justice is not optional,” the party said.

It stressed that the safety of Nigerian communities must remain paramount, while the voices and rights of victims should be central to any national response.

“Nigeria cannot afford mixed signals in a fight that demands discipline and resolve. National security is not a space for sentiment to override judgment,” the statement concluded.