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By Lawrence Agbo
Dr. Yahuza Getso, a security expert, has criticised the Federal Government’s stance on “repentant” insurgents, insisting that such a narrative undermines efforts to tackle insecurity.
Speaking on Trust TV, Getso said he does not believe in the concept of repentant Boko Haram members or bandits, stressing that individuals involved in terrorism and violent crimes should not be rebranded.
“The government used to say repentant bandits, repentant Boko Haram. This is a language I never believed in and I will never believe it. A Boko Haram member is still a Boko Haram member; if it’s a bandit, it’s just a bandit,” he said.
He accused the government of misleading Nigerians, urging authorities to be more transparent and decisive in addressing security challenges.
“The Federal Government should stop playing games, stop playing with the intelligence of Nigerians, stop deceiving us,” Getso added.
The security expert also cautioned against engaging in dialogue with armed groups without addressing underlying support systems.
He noted that during previous discussions, including under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he had warned that any form of negotiation must be accompanied by efforts to dismantle supply chains and access to medical care sustaining such groups.
According to him, without cutting off these critical support structures, dialogue alone would fail to produce meaningful results in the fight against insurgency.
