By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised what it described as “lenient rhetoric” toward terrorists by top security officials, warning that the remarks reflect a dangerous mindset that undermines Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
The coalition party stressed that a terrorist is not a son or a brother but enemies of Nigerians and should be treated as such.
In a statement shared via his X handle on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted comments attributed to the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Army Staff, who reportedly referred to terrorists using familial terms such as “brothers” and “sons.”
Abdullahi said such language blurs the moral and legal lines required for an effective counter-terrorism strategy, arguing that it signals tolerance rather than resolve in confronting violent groups.
“When a government begins to frame terrorists in familial terms, it creates ambiguity where there should be clarity,” he said, adding that the approach partly explains the country’s continued struggle to contain insecurity.
The ADC spokesman linked his concerns to Nigeria’s recent ranking in the Global Terrorism Index, where the country remains among the most terrorism-affected nations in the world, with rising attacks and civilian casualties.
According to him, the latest index reflects the failure of the current security architecture under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decisively end killings and protect citizens.
He insisted that the situation demands a firmer and more coordinated response, rather than what he described as “accommodating narratives.”
Outlining the party’s proposed security framework, Abdullahi said an ADC-led government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He disclosed that the party plans to establish special terrorism courts to ensure swift prosecution of offenders, while implementing a multi-layered strategy focused on intelligence gathering, prevention, enforcement, and regional cooperation.
“Our counter-terrorism framework will be built on local intelligence, state-level deterrence, national coordination, and cross-border collaboration,” he said.
Abdullahi stressed that under an ADC government, terrorists would be treated strictly as enemies of the state, with clear and severe consequences for acts of violence.
“The message will be clear: there will be no ambiguity. A terrorist is not a son or a brother—they are enemies of Nigeria and will be treated as such,” he added.
