Amnesty for Terrorists a Dangerous Mistake – Lessons from Algeria’s ‘Black Decade’ – Ex-Police Commissioner Warns

By Tgnews Reporter

A retired senior police officer and former Chief Security Officer to ex-Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has strongly cautioned the Federal Government against continuing its policy of granting amnesty to Boko Haram members under the banner of “repentant terrorists.”

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sheriff Rabiu warned that a soft, “carrot-and-stick” approach to religious extremism is ineffective and could embolden terrorists who view martyrdom as a direct route to heaven.

Speaking on the rising security concerns, Rabiu urged Nigerian authorities to study Algeria’s hard-nosed military strategy during the country’s brutal “Black Decade” (1991–2002), when the state successfully crushed the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), despite the conflict claiming up to 200,000 lives.

“The Algerian model combined intensive military operations, deep intelligence penetration, the arming of civilian self-defence militias known as ‘Patriots,’ and carefully targeted amnesty programmes,” Rabiu explained.

He recounted how the crisis erupted after the military annulled 1992 elections to block an Islamist victory.

The army then adopted a “total war” strategy, deploying specialised mobile units to hunt militants in rugged mountain terrain. A decisive blow came in March 1995 when forces ambushed nearly 900 GIA fighters in the Ain Defla region, killing hundreds.

Rural communities were empowered through armed civilian militias that created buffer zones and turned local populations against the insurgents.

As the GIA’s savage massacres of civilians in 1997 eroded its support base, the government exploited internal divisions, leading to breakaway factions such as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 1998.

While maintaining firm control over oil regions and major cities, the Algerian state used advanced surveillance, including early drone and night-vision technology, to restrict militant movements. A limited amnesty under the 1997 AIS ceasefire and the 1999 Civil Concord law triggered mass defections.

Rabiu noted that Algeria also internationalised its fight after the 1995 hijacking of an Air France flight, framing the conflict as part of the global war on terrorism and securing cooperation from Europe and the United States.

However, he acknowledged the operation’s dark side: widespread allegations of torture, secret detentions, enforced disappearances, and occasional complicity by security forces in civilian massacres.

Turning to Nigeria, Rabiu expressed deep concern that hundreds of Boko Haram fighters granted amnesty have reportedly returned to violence, undermining public trust.

“Amnesty may be suitable for separatist groups seeking self-determination, but it is inappropriate for ideologically driven religious extremists who have slaughtered innocent civilians and security personnel,” he stated.

“Allowing such individuals to walk free among law-abiding citizens is not only unjust to the victims — it is inhumane.”

Rabiu called on the Chief of Army Staff and other security chiefs to abandon any policy of mercy toward terrorists.

“They do not deserve to live among decent Nigerians,” he declared.

He further urged the government to strictly regulate religious leaders who preach hate speech or incite jungle justice, insisting that national law must supersede religious doctrines in a secular democracy.

The retired commissioner’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes for former insurgents.