The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of tolerating criminality instead of confronting it decisively.
The opposition party based its criticism on remarks it attributed to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was alleged to have described terrorists as “my brothers”.
It also took aim at the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, over comments it claims referred to terrorists as “sons”.
Reacting in a post on X, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said such language reflects a dangerous mindset.
“First it was the NSA who referred to terrorists as my brothers, and now the Chief of Army Staff who referred to terrorists as my sons. These rhetorics reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it,” Abdullahi said.
He warned that framing terrorists in familial terms weakens the moral clarity needed to tackle insecurity.
“When a government begins to frame terrorists in familial terms, it blurs the moral and legal lines that must remain clear in any serious security response,” he added.
According to the ADC, such an approach partly explains why current security strategies have struggled to end killings and protect lives.
The party outlined its alternative approach, pledging a tougher stance against banditry and terrorism if elected.
It proposed the establishment of special terrorism courts to fast-track prosecution, alongside a four-pillar counter-terrorism framework focusing on intelligence gathering, prevention, enforcement, and regional collaboration.
The ADC stressed that under its leadership, there would be no ambiguity in dealing with criminals.
“A terrorist will neither be a son nor a brother. They are the enemy and will be treated as such,” the party said.
