Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has warned that the federal and state governments’ continued negotiations and concessions to bandits and terrorists are unconstitutional and pose grave risks to Nigeria’s national security.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Adeyanju described the practice of negotiating with armed groups as “alien to any serious state,” arguing that such actions amount to indirect financing of terrorism.
According to him, “The continued negotiation, payment, forgiveness, and appeasement of bandits and terrorists by the government amounts to indirect financing of terrorism and runs contrary to the spirit and letters of the 1999 Constitution.”
Adeyanju insisted that terrorism and banditry cannot be resolved through dialogue, stressing that violent criminals do not genuinely repent. “Terrorists do not repent, and banditry is not a misunderstanding that can be settled across negotiation tables,” he said.
He also criticised some state governments for engaging criminals in talks as a means of restoring what he described as “fragile peace,” warning that such actions undermine the rule of law.
“These are criminals who should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed, not hosted in Government Houses or rewarded with concessions,” Adeyanju stated.
The activist cautioned that forgiving terrorists sets a dangerous precedent, sending the wrong signal to society. “It sends the message that taking up arms, killing citizens, and destabilising the country pays. It encourages more criminality, as others will be emboldened to bear arms knowing the government will eventually negotiate, compensate, and beg them,” he warned.
Adeyanju further drew a comparison between terrorists and separatist figures such as Nnamdi Kanu, noting that while Kanu has not been accused of physically killing anyone, thousands of Nigerians have been killed by terrorists who are now reportedly being embraced by the government.
He concluded that appeasing violent groups undermines justice and threatens the foundation of Nigeria’s long-term national security.
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