‘Terrorists Deserve Death, Not Forgiveness’ — Deji Adeyanju Urges Nigerian Government To Stop Romancing Terrorism

Abuja, Nigeria— Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, on Friday urged the Nigerian government to adopt a harder stance against terrorism, insisting that terrorists should face the death penalty rather than be offered forgiveness or reconciliation.

Adeyanju made the statement amid rising insecurity across Nigeria, highlighting the intensifying attacks by terrorists and bandits in multiple regions.

He condemned what he described as the government’s “romancing of terrorism,” and called for decisive action to end the wave of violence plaguing the nation.

“Terrorists and their sympathizers deserve death, not forgiveness. The Nigerian government must stop forgiving and romancing terrorism,” Adeyanju said.

His comments come in the wake of recent attacks on military installations in Borno State, where terrorists ambushed soldiers, leaving scores dead and raising concerns about the capability of security forces to protect citizens and defend military infrastructure.

Beyond Borno, insecurity continues to fester across the North-Central and Southwest regions, as armed bandits persist in kidnapping citizens and demanding ransoms on a near-daily basis.

The lawyer warned that the failure to decisively address these threats has emboldened criminal networks, further undermining the safety and economic stability of affected communities.

Adeyanju also criticised the federal government’s approach of negotiating or granting amnesty to insurgents, arguing that such measures only prolong the cycle of violence.