The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa Oluyede, has defended the Nigerian military’s strategy of offering terrorists an opportunity to surrender and repent, rather than immediately resorting to lethal force.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Nigerian Armed Forces’ inaugural lecture held at the Joint Doctrine Centre in Abuja, Oluyede addressed growing public concern over why security forces do not simply eliminate insurgents, particularly following deadly attacks.
“People are asking why we are not killing terrorists even if they have killed others Well, even in the Bible, the prodigal son was given a chance, so we should give terrorists a chance to repent if they want to.” he said.
According to him, the policy is rooted in both moral and strategic considerations, emphasizing that offering a path to repentance could help de-escalate violence.
“Because these are Nigerians mostly, it is important for us to give them that window to repent, Rather than pushing them to the extreme that it’s either we kill you or you continue with your actions,” Oluyede stated
He stressed that the approach is not about weakness but about creating alternatives that could ultimately reduce bloodshed.
“We are not saying there will be no consequences, But where possible, giving them the opportunity to surrender can help bring an end to the cycle of violence,” he added.
The remarks come amid ongoing security challenges in various parts of the country, where military operations continue against insurgent groups. The armed forces have in recent years combined combat operations with deradicalisation and reintegration programmes aimed at encouraging defections.
Oluyede’s comments highlight the military’s broader approach of balancing force with rehabilitation efforts as part of its counterterrorism strategy.