Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has taken a hardline stance against granting amnesty to so-called “repentant terrorists,” insisting that force remains the most effective way to end insurgency in the country.

Speaking during a military lecture in Abuja, General Oluyede argued that terrorism cannot be defeated through appeasement, goodwill gestures, or rehabilitation programmes alone. He stressed that insurgent groups often exploit such initiatives to regroup and continue their activities.

According to him, terrorists rarely surrender out of genuine remorse, but only when they are overwhelmed by military pressure. He noted that offering amnesty in such situations risks emboldening extremist elements rather than discouraging them.

The defence chief maintained that “no amount of appeasement” can serve as a comprehensive solution to Nigeria’s security challenges, emphasizing that decisive and sustained military action is necessary to dismantle terrorist networks.

He further warned that insurgents may pretend to repent when facing defeat, only to take advantage of government leniency and return to violence when the opportunity arises. This, he said, undermines national security efforts and prolongs instability.

General Oluyede’s comments come amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s deradicalisation initiative, widely known as Operation Safe Corridor, which seeks to rehabilitate and reintegrate former fighters into society.

While some stakeholders support rehabilitation as a pathway to peace, others—like the defence chief—believe that a stronger military-first approach is required to achieve lasting security.

His remarks highlight growing divisions over how best to tackle terrorism in Nigeria, as the country continues to battle insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism across several regions.