ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, has strongly criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria over what he described as the continued appeasement of bandits, warning that such actions amount to indirect financing of terrorism.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adeyanju argued that the policy of negotiation, forgiveness and concessions to armed groups not only weakens justice but also emboldens criminality across the country.
According to him, “The continued negotiation, payment, forgiveness, and appeasement of bandits and terrorists by the government amounts to indirect financing of terrorism.”
He insisted that armed groups responsible for mass killings and displacement of citizens should not be treated as stakeholders deserving dialogue, but as criminals deserving prosecution.
“Terrorists do not repent, and banditry is not a misunderstanding that can be settled across negotiation tables,” Adeyanju said.
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“These are criminals who should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed, not hosted in Government Houses or rewarded with concessions.”
The activist warned that forgiving terrorists sets a dangerous national precedent and sends a signal that violence is a profitable enterprise.
“The idea of forgiving terrorists is alien to any serious state; it sets a dangerous precedent and sends the message that taking up arms, killing citizens, and destabilizing the country pays,” he said.
Adeyanju further argued that such policies actively encourage more criminality, as others may be tempted to take up arms in anticipation of government negotiations and rewards.
“It encourages more criminality, as others will be emboldened to bear arms knowing the government will eventually negotiate, compensate, and beg them,” he stated.
Drawing a comparison with the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Adeyanju questioned the government’s apparent double standards.
“These terrorists have committed far worse crimes than Nnamdi Kanu, for example, who, whatever the allegations of incitement, did not physically kill anyone,” he said.
“Yet thousands of Nigerians have been slaughtered by terrorists who are now being embraced by our government.”
He warned that such an approach fundamentally weakens the justice system and poses a long-term threat to national stability.
“This approach undermines the idea of justice and it threatens the foundation of national security in the long run,” Adeyanju added.