Nigerians and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) have slammed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, for likening the terrorists killing and wreaking havoc in North East Nigeria to the biblical prodigal son, stating that they deserve rehabilitation because they are citizens.
The ADC specifically said General Oluyede’s characterization is alarming because the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, as had earlier referred to terrorists as brothers.
General Oluyede, who spoke on Tuesday at the Armed Forces inaugural lecture for the newly established Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja said: “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…
“But even in the Bible, we heard about the prodigal son. If there was not that window for the man to come back, would they have come back? So the point is that these are Nigerians, mostly. And it’s important for us to give them that window to repent, if they want, rather than pushing them to the extreme. To say, okay, ‘It’s either we kill you, or you continue with the adventure.’
“I think it is important for us to make people understand, especially the National Assembly, because as we speak now, everything about the safe corridor is being given by the defence headquarters.”
The National Security Adviser, who spoke during the High-level African Counter-Terrorism meeting held April 22-24, 2024 in Abuja, said: “Whether we like it or not, there are terrorists in Nigeria who want peace. They are our brothers. We must seek for dialogue and understanding with them.”
Reacting in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC said such comments “reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.”
The full statement reads: “First, the NSA referred to terrorists as his brothers. Now, the Chief of Defence Staff is referring to terrorists as sons. These rhetorics reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.
“When a government begins to frame terrorists in familial terms, it blurs the moral and legal lines that must remain clear in any serious security response. With this mindset, it is easy to understand why the current approach has struggled to protect lives and decisively end the killings.
“This must not be allowed to continue. Under an ADC government, there will be no ambiguity. Bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists will be treated the same as all enemies of Nigeria. We will establish special terrorism courts to ensure swift prosecution.”
And on Social Media, Nigerians have risen in condemnation on the characterization of the terrorists who have killed, kidnapped, destroyed communities and livelihood as son or brothers.
An X user, @Naija_Realtalk, said, “Giving terrorists a ‘biblical chance’ while citizens die on our soil is not mercy—it’s a policy of pain. Repentance is personal; security is the government’s duty. Nigeria cannot wait for morality to catch up with murder.”
Another user, @akindology, also condemned Mr Oluyede’s remarks and accused the government of unwillingness to protect citizens.
“I am trying with everything in me not to accept this. Unfortunately is it real. How can someone confirmed to have killed, displaced, and dehumanised citizens be treated with such dignity? This government is not ready and is unwilling to protect its citizens,” @akindology said.
Also, @emini_lanre on X said, “This is nothing but an encouragement to the average Nigerian to commit evil, disturb the peace of communities, shed blood, and inflict pain on powerless and unarmed people, knowing fully well they may still be given a second chance to live as if they committed nothing. Ah!”
“This is the chief of army defence staff? Does this man know the reason for his position? If we are using the Bible to forgive everyone, then what’s the need for the army? Let pastors be handling the security of the nation since it’s forgiveness that’s being used. Very funny, Joker,” @iamrichygold said.
Written with additional report from Peoples Gazette
