Prominent voices from Northern Nigeria and the security community have raised concerns over the ongoing rehabilitation programmes targeting so-called “repentant bandits,” warning that without rigorous vetting and oversight, such initiatives may do more harm than good.

Reacting to recent reports of literacy classes and skills acquisition schemes being organized for former insurgents, the spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, outlined a six-point framework that must guide such programs if they are to be effective and responsible.

“Well, any program to take them out of banditry is okay, provided proper, rigorous vetting of their background and intentions is carried out,” Prof. Tukur stated. “They must be carefully supervised, subjected to constant surveillance and monitoring. Skills acquisition should be part of the program.”

He emphasized that repentance must not equate to exoneration, insisting that “they aren’t automatically absolved of blame regarding their activities.”

Furthermore, he called for the interests of victims to be prioritized, including provisions for compensation by the former bandits themselves.

He also stressed the need for thorough psychological evaluation and counseling as part of the rehabilitation process.

“Care must be exercised,” Prof. Tukur warned, highlighting the delicate balance between reintegration and justice.

However, security expert and journalist Christopher Oji took a firmer stance, condemning the initiative outright.

“This is sad,” Oji said. “There are children roaming the streets of Nigeria with no one to care for them, yet the state government is wasting money training bloodsuckers.”

Oji argued that the concept of a “repentant terrorist” is a dangerous illusion, asserting that such individuals remain loyal to terror networks and could easily betray the state at the slightest opportunity.

“These are people that should be facing criminal charges in court,” he said. “Tell me why someone who stole a chicken or killed a terrorist in self-defense rots in jail, while those who killed many people intentionally are being pampered?”

He accused federal and state authorities of enabling impunity, asking, “Why are they pampering bloodsuckers? To me, it doesn’t make sense.”