By Abdulsamad Abdulmalik
A security expert, Ambassador Abayomi Mumuni, has defended the Federal Government’s plan to reintegrate former terrorists into society, describing it as consistent with globally accepted counter-terrorism strategies.
Mumuni made the remarks on Tuesday while reacting to criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which described the policy as lenient and indicative of a weak security approach.
The Federal Government had announced that about 744 former insurgents and victims of violent extremism would be reintegrated into their communities after completing the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
Responding, Mumuni cautioned against politicising the issue, urging stakeholders to adopt a fact-based approach.
He explained that deradicalisation involves structured psychological, educational and social reorientation, while reintegration ensures the gradual return of reformed individuals into society under monitored conditions.
“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime endorses rehabilitation programmes, while the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners… recognise rehabilitation as a core objective of incarceration,” he said.
Mumuni added that global frameworks, including UN Resolution 2625 and the European Union’s counter-terrorism strategy, support rehabilitation as part of long-term security management.
He noted that such programmes can reduce reoffending, address the root causes of extremism, and prevent prisons from becoming recruitment grounds for terrorist groups.
However, he stressed that reintegration must be handled with strict safeguards, including thorough psychological assessments, continuous monitoring, access to education and employment, and periodic security evaluations.
The Federal Government’s plan has drawn mixed reactions, with critics raising safety concerns, while supporters argue that rehabilitation offers a more sustainable approach to tackling violent extremism.
