
The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), has expressed concern over the increasing number of youths in the country joining armed groups.
According to him, the scourge must be discouraged while efforts are being made to de-radicalise those already armed.
Monguno, who was represented by the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), spoke at a workshop on amnesty management, de-radicalisation, and community-based reintegration in Abuja on Tuesday.
He also warned that amnesty repeatedly granted by the government at different levels to armed groups could be counter-productive in the absence of an established policy.
He said, “As you may be aware, the concept and practice of amnesty are not new in Nigeria. The Federal Government and several states have repeatedly granted amnesties.
“However, this can become counter-productive to national security in the absence of established policy/legislation, national ownership, and a coordination mechanism. In the absence of an amnesty law, ad-hoc declarations have become the main vehicle. This is a gap that this workshop aims to initiate and fill.”