The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said Nigeria will not negotiate or mediate with terrorists, stressing that military defeat remains the most effective way to end terrorism in the country.
Ojukwu made the statement while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola.
She said Nigeria attended the African Union meeting to present its position on terrorism and regional security while supporting wider efforts to prevent conflicts, tackle violent extremism and promote peace across the continent.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s position is that terrorism cannot be successfully addressed through negotiations with armed groups that have continued to threaten the lives and property of citizens.
“You cannot negotiate with terrorists. They do not understand negotiation or mediation; you cannot appeal to their reason, compassion or conscience,” Ojukwu said.
She said the Federal Government believed that terrorists would only respond to a strong and decisive security response.
“The only language terrorists understand is the language of defeat, and this is what Nigeria intends to make clear,” she added.
The minister said the government was determined to defeat terrorism and would not adopt what she described as a lenient approach in dealing with terrorists.
Ojukwu said the Nigerian delegation used the Luanda summit to clearly communicate President Bola Tinubu’s position on the need to defeat terrorism and strengthen security cooperation among African countries.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu at the meeting.
The minister’s comments come against the background of Nigeria’s long-running battle against terrorism and other forms of violent crime, particularly in the North-East, where Boko Haram and its splinter groups have carried out attacks for more than a decade.
The insurgency began in earnest in the North-East in the late 2000s and has since spread violence to several communities, with thousands of people killed and millions displaced.
Security forces have conducted several military operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province, known as ISWAP. The operations have led to the recovery of territories and the killing or arrest of some terrorist commanders and fighters.
Despite these efforts, terrorist groups have continued to carry out attacks in some parts of the North-East, particularly through ambushes, raids and suicide bombings.
The security situation has also become more complex as Nigeria faces other threats, including banditry, kidnapping and armed violence in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.
The various security challenges have increased calls for stronger cooperation among Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Nigeria shares borders with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, making regional cooperation important in dealing with armed groups whose activities can cross national borders.
The Lake Chad Basin, in particular, has remained a major focus of regional security efforts because of the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP around the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Countries in the region have worked together through the Multinational Joint Task Force to conduct military operations against terrorist groups.
The African Union has also continued to promote regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and other threats to peace and security.
The Luanda meeting therefore provided an opportunity for African leaders to discuss ways of preventing conflicts and strengthening the continent’s ability to respond to security threats.
Ojukwu said Nigeria remained committed to these continental efforts but would continue to maintain its position that terrorism must be confronted decisively.
Her comments also underline the government’s rejection of negotiations as a strategy for dealing with terrorist organisations.
The question of dialogue with armed groups has generated debate in Nigeria over the years. While some groups and individuals have supported negotiations in certain circumstances, others have argued that dialogue with terrorists could encourage further attacks and undermine national security.
Successive administrations have adopted different approaches to the country’s security challenges, combining military operations with other measures, including rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for some former insurgents who surrender.
The government has also continued to call on terrorists and other armed groups to surrender and lay down their weapons.
However, Ojukwu’s latest remarks make clear that the Federal Government intends to maintain a firm position against terrorist groups that continue to attack communities and security personnel.
She said Nigeria’s participation at the AU summit was aimed at making the country’s position clear to other African nations.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism was being pursued with determination and that the government would continue to work with other countries to improve regional security.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said that improved security is necessary for economic growth and development.
Terrorist attacks and other forms of insecurity have disrupted farming, trade, education and other economic activities in affected areas. Many communities have also experienced displacement, making it difficult for residents to return to normal life.
The continued fight against terrorism is therefore not only a security issue but also a major development concern for Nigeria and other affected African countries.
With terrorist networks increasingly operating across borders and using modern communication and financial channels, security experts have stressed the need for countries to share intelligence and coordinate their operations.
The AU has continued to encourage member states to strengthen their security institutions and work together to prevent armed groups from exploiting weak borders and conflict-affected areas.
For Nigeria, Ojukwu said the central message remains that terrorist groups must be defeated.
She said the government would continue to pursue a firm security strategy while working with other African countries to promote peace and stability.