The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned recent references by top military officials who described terrorists in familial terms, warning that such language reflects a dangerous mindset that tolerates criminality rather than confronting it.
The party criticized comments reportedly made by the Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. Gen Olufemi Oluyede and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu who referred to terrorists as sons and brothers, respectively.
ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that framing terrorists in familial terms blurs moral and legal lines critical to an effective security response.
Abdullahi stressed that a terrorist is neither a son nor a brother—they are the enemy and should be treated as such.
The party also promised the establishment of special terrorism courts to ensure swift prosecution of offenders if elected.
First, the NSA referred to terrorists as his brothers.
Now, the Chief of Army Staff is referring to terrorists as sons.
These rhetorics reflect a dangerous mindset that accommodates and tolerates criminality instead of confronting it.
When a government begins to frame… pic.twitter.com/MxtSnABit2
— Bolaji Abdullahi (@BolajiADC) March 27, 2026
