Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has sparked widespread debate after suggesting that suspected terrorists should be allowed to repent rather than face a policy centred solely on elimination.
Speaking at the inaugural lecture of the Armed Forces held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Abuja, Oluyede addressed growing criticism of the military’s deradicalisation programme, Operation Safe Corridor.
The programme, designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate former insurgents into society, has faced backlash from Nigerians who argue that individuals involved in violent acts should not be spared.
Acknowledging these concerns, Oluyede said the argument for eliminating insurgents “may make sense,” especially given the scale of violence inflicted by such groups. However, he stressed that a purely force-based approach may not be the most effective long-term solution.
“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.
The defence chief explained that the initiative aims to provide an alternative for fighters willing to abandon insurgency, rather than leaving them with no choice but to continue in violent extremism.
Drawing on a biblical analogy, Oluyede referenced the story of the prodigal son to illustrate the importance of forgiveness and second chances.
“If there was not that window for the man to come back, would they have come back?” he asked.
He emphasised that many insurgents are Nigerians and should not be permanently excluded from society if they show genuine willingness to change.
“These are Nigerians, mostly. And we need to give them that window to repent, if they want, rather than pushing them to the extreme.”
Oluyede also urged better understanding and support for the programme, particularly from the National Assembly. He noted that the initiative is currently being managed by Defence Headquarters and would benefit from broader institutional backing.
“It is important for us to make people understand, especially the National Assembly,” he said.
The remarks come amid continued insecurity in parts of North-East Nigeria, where extremist groups such as Boko Haram remain active.
Recent incidents highlight the persistent threat. In Borno State, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in a fresh attack, while authorities are said to have paid about N10 billion to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren in Niger State.
Nigeria’s insurgency crisis, which began in 2009, has caused massive humanitarian and economic damage. One of its most widely known incidents is the Chibok schoolgirls abduction, where over 270 schoolgirls were kidnapped, drawing international condemnation.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, the conflict has claimed more than 350,000 lives, with children accounting for a significant proportion of victims.
Oluyede’s comments are expected to further fuel public debate over how best to address terrorism in Nigeria—balancing justice for victims with strategies aimed at ending the cycle of violence.
While some Nigerians view rehabilitation as a pragmatic approach to peacebuilding, others argue that it risks undermining accountability for serious crimes.
As the country continues to grapple with insecurity, the question remains: should repentance be part of the path to peace, or does justice demand a firmer hand?
