Human rights activist and lawyer Maxwell Opara has raised strong concerns over the Federal Government’s rehabilitation programme for repentant insurgents, questioning the speed and legality of the process under the military’s deradicalisation initiative.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Opara criticised the handling of former members of Boko Haram who are processed through Operation Safe Corridor, a programme designed to reintegrate ex-fighters into society after undergoing rehabilitation.
During the discussion, Opara expressed disbelief at the timeline often cited by authorities, stating, “Under 6 months, you said they have repented. How dare you? Even if they are going to repent, they should be able to make them pass through that legal proceedings.” He argued that bypassing established judicial processes undermines justice and raises concerns about accountability for crimes committed during the insurgency.
Opara maintained that while rehabilitation and reintegration are important components of post-conflict recovery, they must not come at the expense of the rule of law. According to him, individuals accused of terrorism-related offences should first face prosecution before any form of reintegration is considered. He warned that failure to do so could erode public trust and potentially embolden criminal behaviour.
The lawyer also highlighted the emotional and psychological toll on victims of insurgency, stressing that justice must be seen to be done. He noted that many communities affected by insurgent violence may feel neglected if perpetrators are perceived to be receiving lenient treatment without due process….See More
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