According to former Defence Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. John Enenche (Rtd), the policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists raises serious concerns about justice and accountability, particularly for victims and communities that suffered from years of insurgent violence across Nigeria.
Enenche made the remarks during an interview from 17:54 on Channels Television on June 3, 2026, while discussing the country’s security challenges and ongoing efforts to combat insurgency in the North-East. His comments come amid continued public debate over government programmes aimed at deradicalising and reintegrating former insurgents who surrender to security authorities.
Speaking on the issue, the retired army general questioned whether individuals who participated in violent attacks should be rehabilitated without first being held accountable for their actions. He expressed concern that many of those seeking reintegration were directly involved in operations that resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of communities across several parts of the country.
“Before they even repent, they were in combat and they take off from that place. They have killed people all over the whole place and you say they are repenting later,” Enenche said.
According to him, the debate goes beyond rehabilitation and touches on broader issues of justice, responsibility, and the rights of victims who continue to live with the consequences of insurgent activities. He argued that any programme designed to reintegrate former fighters must take into account the pain and losses suffered by affected communities.
Enenche further stated that authorities should carefully assess the processes through which former terrorists are accepted back into society. He maintained that public confidence in such initiatives depends on transparent measures that demonstrate genuine deradicalisation and a commitment to preventing future violence.
The retired military officer also emphasized the importance of prioritising the safety and security of citizens. He noted that many Nigerians remain concerned about the possibility of former insurgents returning to civilian life without sufficient assurances that they have completely abandoned extremist ideologies and violent activities.
While acknowledging the need for strategies aimed at ending insurgency and encouraging defections, Enenche maintained that rehabilitation efforts should be balanced with accountability mechanisms that address the concerns of victims and ensure lasting peace in affected regions….Read_More…