Why are Nigerians divided on amnesty for armed groups? Why does this matter for Nigeria’s 2027 elections?
As Nigeria prepares for its January 2027 general elections, insecurity is once again becoming one of the country’s biggest political issues. Across communities affected by banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes, many Nigerians are asking an important question: Should the government negotiate with non-state armed groups and grant them amnesty in exchange for peace?
Political parties are expected to present different ideas on how to improve security during the election campaign. While some may support dialogue alongside military action, others believe those responsible for violent crimes should be prosecuted instead of receiving government incentives.
The issue has divided public opinion. Some Nigerians believe dialogue and amnesty could save lives and reduce violence. Others argue that it would reward criminals while victims continue to suffer.
One of the strongest supporters of dialogue is a renown Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi. He believes fighters who genuinely surrender should be given a chance to rebuild their lives.
He said that there is nowhere in the world where a repentant, one who surrenders, is killed, not even prisoners of war. “Since they are repentant, it is their basic right to be rehabilitated and integrated into society,” Sheikh Gumi told Peace News Network (PNN), stressing that the question of whether they should be pardoned should not even arise at all. He insisted that amnesty is not only the way out, but also the law.
He added, “One thing we have to understand is that when you are fighting a thousand people, and 500 decide they are going to surrender, you are reducing your work. So, we should encourage them, and that will encourage others to give up their bad ways.”
Supporters of amnesty argue that military operations alone have not ended years of violence. They believe negotiations could persuade some fighters to lay down their weapons, release kidnapped victims, and allow displaced families to return home. They also say peaceful communities are necessary for free and fair elections, as people are more likely to vote when they feel safe.
Some communities that have experienced violence say they simply want peace, regardless of how it is achieved. Imam Hussaini Muhammad, a community leader from Udawa village in Kaduna State, said dialogue has helped improve security in his community.
“Since the use of the kinetic approach had not ended the violence why not try the negotiation or amnesty for us we don’t care the method used as long as peace returns to our community,” he said. He added that negotiations with armed groups around the community had produced positive results, allowing many residents to return to their farms.
However, many Nigerians strongly disagree with the idea of granting amnesty. Victims, community leaders and security experts argue that people responsible for killings, kidnappings and other serious crimes should face justice.
A public Analyst Tajudeen Ajibagde said the law should apply equally to everyone. “My position is simple: Anyone who commits a crime should face the full weight of the law. There must be consequences for criminal actions,” he said. He added, “For me, there should be no amnesty for anyone who commits a serious crime and is found guilty.”
For many victims, the discussion goes beyond politics. Alheri Yahaya, a housewife from Maraban Kajuru Village, was kidnapped together with her husband and spent two months in the custody of bandits. She said the experience left her family struggling to survive. “What we, as victims, need most now is help,” she said. “We have been forced to leave our homes, and the place where we are currently staying is not suitable for us.”
She added: “Our only hope is that justice will be done for everyone. We, the victims, truly need support and assistance.”
Security expert Ishaq Usman Kasai believes peace and justice should work together rather than compete with each other. “Victims deserve justice, and the rule of law must be upheld. Lasting peace is achieved when accountability, reconciliation, and victims’ rights are balanced,” he told PNN.
Kasai warned that granting amnesty without accountability could send the wrong message. “Granting amnesty without ensuring justice may inadvertently incentivize future violence, as it could create the perception that those who take up arms can eventually escape accountability through pardon.”
Nigeria’s past experience with amnesty is also part of the debate.
The 2009 Niger Delta Amnesty Programme helped reduce attacks on oil facilities and gave many former militants access to education and vocational training. However, many analysts believe it did not solve the root causes of the conflict, and some beneficiaries later returned to criminal activities.
Researcher and civil society advocate Benjamin Yohana Maigari believes this experience should guide future decisions. “For me, I believe you do not negotiate with terrorists. You do not negotiate with them,” he said.
He also questioned why discussions often focus on rehabilitating perpetrators while victims receive little attention. “Then, after the kidnappers are released or granted amnesty, they walk freely on the streets, while the victims are left to rebuild their lives alone. The system focuses on rehabilitating the perpetrators but pays little attention to rehabilitating the victims.”
As political parties prepare for the 2027 elections, many Nigerians expect clear plans for tackling insecurity. Zubairu Shanuna, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), believes amnesty remains a good option. He said the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme helped reduce violence and argued that negotiations could save innocent lives if properly managed.
Others disagree. Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai consistently opposed negotiations with armed groups during his time in office from 2015-2023 then as a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). He maintained that the state was at war with bandits and that “eliminating them is the only solution to put an end to their criminality in the North-West region.”
But Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, former national interim committee chairman and senator of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of the opposition parties, believes security should never become a political issue. “There are certain issues that should never be politicized, whether by the government or by those outside government. Security, in particular, should not be politicised,” he said.
He added that governments should welcome useful suggestions on security while opposition parties should not take political advantage of insecurity because “security is a matter that affects everyone.”
Many ordinary Nigerians believe that if amnesty is considered, victims should not be forgotten. Haruna Nasarawa, a voter and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said, “In my opinion, I will only support this proposed amnesty if the government also takes steps to help the people who suffered because of the violence.”
He also urged the government to ensure that anyone granted amnesty does not return to violence.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the debate over amnesty continues to raise difficult questions about peace, justice, and national security. For communities that have lived with years of violence, ending the bloodshed is an urgent priority. For victims who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, justice remains equally important.
Whether political leaders choose dialogue, military action or a combination of both, many Nigerians agree that lasting peace will require more than amnesty alone. It will also depend on good governance, justice for victims, stronger institutions and better opportunities for citizens.
Keywords: Nigerian, Nigerian, Nigerians, amnesty, militants, armed groups, conflict, peace, conflict resolution, Nigeria elections, election
Mohammed is a multimedia freelance journalist in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He graduated from the International Institute of Journalism Abuja. In 2016 Mohammed received the Courage in Journalism Award for his investigative reporting, from the Africa Media Development Foundation.
