ADC slams NSA, Army chief over treating “terrorists as brothers, son” comments

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu over their comments on repentant terrorists.

The National Publicity Secretary for the coalition party, Bolaji Abdullahi in a post on X said such remarks from the NSA and the Army chief reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.

Recall that the NSA while speaking on a non-kinetic approach towards ending the insurgency in the country had referred to terrorists as “our brothers”

On the other hand, the Waidi, in response to an inquiry on the rationale behind the reintegration of repentant Boko Haram terrorists into the society said the “terrorists are our sons”.

Reacting to these remarks, Abdullahi warned that when a government begins to frame terrorists in familial terms, such moves blur 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,” Abdullahi noted.

He further assured that under the ADC government, there will be no ambiguity in the handling and proper profiling of criminals.

He said, “Bandits and kidnappers and terrorists will be treated the same as all enemies of Nigeria. We will establish special terrorism courts to ensure swift prosecution.”

Abdullahi also listed a four-pillar counter-terrorism framework which the coalition party would adopt if its candidate is elected into office as president in 2027.

He said this include, Local level intelligence gathering, State level prevention and deterrence, National level coordination and enforcement and Regional level collaboration across neighbouring countries.

In addition, Abdullahi said the ADC will prioritise the safety of citizens and would not cuddle terrorists.

“The message will be clear: there will be severe consequences for killing a Nigerian. A terrorist will neither be a son nor a brother. They are the enemy and will be treated as such,” he added.