Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has called for a tougher approach to combating terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that terrorists and their sympathisers should face the death penalty rather than forgiveness.
Adeyanju made the remark in a post on X (Twitter), where he criticised what he described as government leniency toward individuals involved in acts of terrorism.
According to him, granting forgiveness or reintegrating terrorists into society could undermine efforts to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
“Terrorists and their sympathizers deserve death not forgiveness. The Nigerian government must stop forgiving and romancing terrorism,” he wrote.
The activist urged authorities to abandon policies that appear to pardon or rehabilitate individuals linked to terrorist activities, arguing that a firm and uncompromising response is necessary to deter violent extremism and safeguard citizens.
His comments come amid ongoing military operations against terrorist groups and bandits across different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, recently assured Nigerians that security forces are inflicting heavy losses on terrorists and bandits.
Speaking after a security meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Musa said the Armed Forces had briefed the President on the latest security developments.
He also dismissed what he described as misleading interpretations of the security situation circulating in sections of the media, reiterating the military’s commitment to tackling terrorism and restoring peace across the country.
