Execute Repentant Terrorists Instead Of Rehabilitating Them, Says Former -IBB Security Chief

Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, the former Chief Security Officer to former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has demanded a harsher strategy against Nigeria’s insecurity by insisting that convicted terrorists and violent criminals receive the death penalty instead of being enrolled in rehabilitation programs.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP Newspaper in Kaduna, Mohammed warned that Nigeria’s security challenges will continue to endure unless offenders face severe consequences, irrespective of their social status or political affiliations.

Mohammed argued that Nigeria’s current justice system is too weak to deter criminality, emphasizing that a more aggressive enforcement framework is urgently needed to restore public confidence and curb widespread insecurity. He noted that past security strategies, which heavily prioritized strict enforcement, yielded significantly better results in controlling street-level crime across the nation.

Furthermore, the former security chief stated that the government’s frequent failure to execute death sentences on convicted offenders has severely undermined deterrence. By failing to carry out capital punishment, authorities have inadvertently emboldened criminal networks, allowing violent groups to expand their activities without fear of ultimate consequences.

The former security chief maintained that once a competent court has found an accused person guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to death, the implementation of such judgment should not be stalled by political considerations.

He questioned the rationale behind keeping convicted killers in correctional facilities at public expense, describing it as unfair to victims and taxpayers.

Mohammed , a retired military police officer, expressed deep frustration over the reluctance of several state governors to sign execution warrants for condemned criminals. He argued that this widespread hesitation actively paralyzes the judiciary, stripping the legal system of its power to deter violent crime.

Drawing from his personal experience as the coordinator of Kaduna State’s anti-crime task force, Operation Yaki, Mohammed revealed that past efforts to ensure convicted bandits faced the full extent of the law were continuously derailed by bureaucratic and legal delays. To illustrate the effectiveness of unyielding enforcement, he pointed to the 1990s administration of former Lagos State military governor, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), whose zero-tolerance policies swiftly restored public order and dismantled street-level criminal syndicates.

Ultimately, the former security chief insisted that true governance requires absolute firmness when dealing with violent offenders. He warned that continued leniency and a refusal to implement capital punishment will only worsen the nationwide security crisis.

Mohammed broadened his critique to target systemic corruption and a lack of accountability among political office holders. He argued that severe punishment should not be restricted to armed criminals, but must also extend to public officials who embezzle state funds or fail to uphold their constitutional responsibilities. He noted that many politicians enrich themselves while completely neglecting the basic developmental needs of their constituencies, which only deepens public frustration.

Turning his attention to the crisis of out-of-school children and the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria, the former security chief urged state governments to implement more structured interventions. He emphasized that these new policies must simultaneously address child welfare and hold parents accountable for their parental responsibilities. In his view, targeted education and strategic social investments are critical tools needed to prevent vulnerable children from being recruited into criminal or extremist networks.

The retired military police officer warned that unchecked poverty and rising economic inequality will continue to destabilize the country. He noted that sharp financial disparities naturally fuel social unrest, creating a breeding ground for further insecurity. Without addressing these underlying socioeconomic drivers, he believes tactical security measures will fall short of achieving lasting peace.

Ultimately, Mohammed insisted that Nigeria’s security challenges will remain permanently unresolved until the justice system is strengthened. He concluded that true stability can only be achieved when every single offender, regardless of their social status or political affiliation, is forced to face the appropriate legal consequences for their actions.