‘Stop reintegrating repentant terrorists’ – Anglican Bishop Ike urges Nigerian Govt 

Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt Rev Prof Samuel Obiajulu Ike has charged the Federal Government of Nigeria to discontinue its programme of reintegrating repentant terrorists.

Bishop Ike gave the charge in the presidential address he delivered on Friday at the third session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ogbete, Enugu.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to end the reintegration of the so-called ‘repentant terrorists’ into the critical aspects of the society, insisting that those involved in terrorism should be prosecuted rather than rehabilitated.

While expressing worry over the level of insecurity in Nigeria, Bishop Ike said despite allocating N5.41 trillion, about 9.3 per cent of the proposed N58.47 trillion 2026 budget, to security and defence, there has been no significant improvement in security.

The cleric, who spoke on a wide range of issues, condemned the policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists, arguing that those responsible for killings and other violent crimes must face justice.

“In a society where a man is sentenced to death for defending himself against terrorists and another is prosecuted for stealing a goat, terrorists must also be made to face trial for their heinous crimes,” he said.

He urged the President to sanction cabinet members allegedly sympathetic to terrorists, stop referring to Boko Haram members as “insurgents,” and officially designate them simply as terrorists.

Bishop Ike also called on the Federal Government to act against social media platforms allegedly used by terrorist groups to spread propaganda and fear.

Expressing concern over persistent killings and abductions, he cited reports that over 1,100 Nigerians were kidnapped in the first quarter of 2026, while attacks in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states claimed hundreds of lives.

Questioning the impact of huge investments in military hardware, drones and Tucano fighter jets, he said Nigerians deserved better protection.

“We renew our call on the President to act swiftly to ensure the protection of Nigerians. The 2027 elections are endangered if the government fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens,” he said.

On the economy, the bishop faulted the Federal Government’s continued borrowing, describing it as inconsistent with President Tinubu’s earlier pledge to stop borrowing for capital projects after meeting revenue targets.

He noted that despite the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget, the Senate approved a fresh $6 billion loan in March to finance the 2025 budget deficit.

Describing the situation as ironic, Bishop Ike questioned the utilisation of borrowed funds, citing inflation, naira depreciation and rising poverty as evidence that economic reforms had yet to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

“There is increased pain, poverty and hunger in the land. Nigerians are disillusioned and disenchanted. The reforms appear not to have worked; rather, they have increased the cost of living. The Federal Government should rethink its policies and ensure they deliver tangible benefits to the masses,” he said.

He lamented that electricity supply has worsened despite the electricity tariff hike following customer categorisation, noting that President Tinubu’s promise of reliable and affordable power remains unfulfilled.

The bishop reminded the President of his 2023 pledge that Nigerians would have electricity “by all means necessary,” stressing that the time to fulfil that promise was yesterday, and the next best time is now, especially after the approval of N3.3 trillion to clear longstanding debts in the power sector.

He added that the installation of a N10 billion solar power project at Aso Rock in late 2025 had further diminished public confidence in the government’s commitment to improving electricity supply for ordinary Nigerians.