Maxwell Opara: Nigerian Government Encouraging Terrorism Through Reintegration Programme
17th April, 2026 | News
Legal practitioner Maxwell Opara has criticised the Federal Government’s reintegration programme for former terrorists, warning that the policy could encourage, rather than deter, criminal activity.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Opara argued that the initiative under Operation Safe Corridor sends the wrong signal by allowing individuals linked to terrorism to undergo rehabilitation without being fully prosecuted. According to him, such an approach undermines the country’s criminal justice system and weakens deterrence.
He maintained that once a crime is committed, due legal process must be followed, including investigation, prosecution, and conviction where applicable. He stressed that any form of clemency, such as amnesty or presidential pardon, should only come after a lawful conviction and must follow established legal procedures.
Opara also questioned the rationale behind reintegrating former suspects into communities that have been severely affected by terrorism. He noted that many of these communities have been destroyed or displaced, making reintegration both impractical and insensitive to victims.
He further warned that the policy could deepen trauma among victims and create resentment, particularly if those affected feel justice has not been served. While acknowledging claims that some individuals were coerced into terrorism, Opara rejected coercion as a sufficient legal defence for adults who commit criminal acts.
The lawyer also dismissed reliance on international frameworks supporting rehabilitation, stating that such guidelines are advisory and must be adapted to Nigeria’s specific legal and security realities.
Describing the programme as poorly timed amid ongoing insecurity, Opara called for greater transparency and accountability in its implementation. He urged anti-corruption agencies to scrutinise the initiative and disclosed plans to challenge the policy in court.