Repentant Terrorists Should Face Death Penalty, Not Rehabilitation – Ex-IBB Security Chief

Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, a former chief security officer (CSO) to former Military President, Gen.Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has called for a tougher approach to Nigeria’s insecurity, insisting that convicted terrorists and violent criminals should face capital punishment rather than rehabilitation.

Mohammed, in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Kaduna, said Nigeria’s security challenges would persist if offenders were not made to face strict consequences, regardless of their status or affiliation.

He argued that the justice system remains too weak to deter criminality, stressing that a stronger enforcement framework was necessary to restore public confidence and reduce insecurity across the country.

According to him, past security strategies that emphasized strict enforcement recorded better outcomes in curbing street-level crime.

He added that the failure by authorities to carry out death sentences on convicted offenders has undermined deterrence and emboldened criminal groups.

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, also expressed frustration over what he described as reluctance by some state governors to sign execution warrants for condemned criminals, arguing that such hesitation weakens the justice system.

Recalling his time as coordinator of Operation Yaki in Kaduna State, he said efforts were made to ensure that convicted bandits faced the full consequences of their actions but were reportedly frustrated by bureaucratic and legal delays.

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

Mohammed insisted that effective governance requires firmness in dealing with offenders, warning that leniency could worsen insecurity nationwide.

He also broadened his criticism to include systemic corruption and accountability gaps among political office holders.

According to him, punishment should not be limited to armed criminals alone but should also extend to public officials who misuse public funds or fail in their constitutional responsibilities.

He argued that some politicians enrich themselves while neglecting basic development needs in their constituencies, thereby deepening public frustration.

On the issue of out-of-school children and the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria, Mohammed urged state governments to adopt more structured interventions that address both child welfare and parental responsibility.

He said education and social investment were critical to preventing vulnerable children from being drawn into crime or extremist networks.

The retired officer warned that continued inequality and poverty could destabilise the country further if left unchecked, noting that rising economic disparity often fuels social unrest.

Mohammed further said Nigeria’s security challenges would remain unresolved unless the justice system is strengthened and offenders, regardless of status, are made to face appropriate consequences.