Repentant Terrorists Should Face Death Penalty, Not Rehabilitation — Former IBB Security Chief

A former Chief Security Officer to former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, has called for a tougher response to terrorism and violent crime in Nigeria, arguing that convicted terrorists should face the death penalty rather than rehabilitation programmes.

Mohammed, a retired military police officer, made the call in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Kaduna, where he said the country’s security challenges would persist if offenders were not subjected to strict consequences regardless of their status or affiliation.

According to him, Nigeria’s justice system has failed to provide sufficient deterrence against criminality, creating an environment in which violent crimes continue to thrive.

He argued that previous security strategies that emphasised strict enforcement and punishment were more effective in curbing crime and maintaining public order.

Mohammed also expressed concern over what he described as the failure of authorities to implement death sentences handed down by competent courts, saying the situation had weakened deterrence and emboldened criminal elements.

He maintained that once a court has found an accused person guilty beyond reasonable doubt and imposed a death sentence, the judgment should be carried out without political interference or unnecessary delays.

The former security chief questioned the rationale behind keeping convicted killers in correctional facilities at public expense, describing the practice as unfair to both victims and taxpayers.

He further criticised what he termed the reluctance of some state governors to sign execution warrants for condemned criminals, arguing that such hesitation undermines the justice system and weakens public confidence in law enforcement.

Recalling his experience as coordinator of Operation Yaki in Kaduna State, Mohammed said efforts were made to ensure that convicted bandits faced the full consequences of their actions, but those efforts were allegedly frustrated by bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks.

He cited the administration of former military governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), as an example of firm security enforcement that helped restore order and reduce street crime.

According to him, effective governance requires decisiveness in dealing with criminality, warning that excessive leniency could worsen the country’s security situation.

Mohammed also extended his criticism to corruption and accountability failures among political office holders.

He argued that punishment should not be reserved for armed criminals alone but should also apply to public officials who misuse public funds or fail to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, some politicians enrich themselves while neglecting critical development needs in their constituencies, thereby contributing to public frustration and distrust in government.

On the issue of out-of-school children and the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria, Mohammed called on state governments to implement structured interventions aimed at improving child welfare and strengthening parental responsibility.

He stressed that investment in education and social development remains essential to preventing vulnerable children from being recruited into criminal or extremist activities.

The retired officer warned that growing poverty and inequality could further destabilise the country if not addressed, noting that widening economic disparities often fuel social unrest and insecurity.

Mohammed maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges would remain unresolved unless the justice system is strengthened and offenders are made to face the full consequences of their actions, irrespective of their social or political status.