By Sabiu Abdullahi
Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, has cautioned the Federal Government and state governments against holding talks or striking deals with terrorists and bandits, insisting that such actions are contrary to the law.
Falana gave the warning while delivering the keynote address at Amnesty International’s Second Annual General Meeting held in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
He argued that it is widely known that some government officials at both the federal and state levels have engaged in negotiations with terrorists and armed groups. According to him, these engagements have resulted in several individuals described as “repentant” criminals receiving pardons and undisclosed cash rewards.
The senior advocate maintained that groups such as Boko Haram have already been outlawed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. He stressed that members of such organisations and those associated with them should face prosecution rather than receive favourable treatment from the authorities.
Falana stated that the law provides clear penalties for anyone who knowingly associates with or supports terrorist groups. In support of his position, he cited Section 22 of the Act, which states:
“A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
The legal practitioner said the provisions of the law should guide government actions in dealing with terrorist groups and their members, rather than negotiations that could undermine efforts to combat insecurity.
