Nigerian Christians Join Efforts to Deradicalize Terrorists

Christian leaders in northern Nigeria are working to deradicalize former terrorists, even as the Nigerian Senate moved to shut down the government's amnesty program.

Ibrahim Alhassan runs a discipleship program in Jos for former Boko Haram members. His ministry, supported by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), teaches Scripture, literacy, and vocational skills such as tailoring and baking. The goal is spiritual transformation and reintegration into society.

Nigeria ranks fourth on the 2026 Global Terrorism Index. Boko Haram and ISWAP account for 80 percent of terrorist deaths in the country, with fatalities rising 45 percent last year.

The government's "Operation Safe Corridor" program granted amnesty to 720 Boko Haram members in Borno state. That decision drew sharp backlash from lawmakers and victims' groups. In July 2026, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions calling for the program's abolition.

James Wuye, cofounder of the Interfaith Mediation Center, works to discourage Christians from seeking violent reprisal. He advocates for Scripture-based deradicalization and serves on a government committee promoting faith-based peacebuilding.

Those running rehabilitation centers face real dangers. Some programs have been targeted by radical Islamic groups. Staff have faced accusations of forced conversions, leading to raids by state security services. Infiltrators posing as reformed terrorists have also been documented.

Many church members remain skeptical. Some pastors refuse to accept former terrorists into their fellowships, viewing them as ongoing threats. Critics argue that justice for victims must come before rehabilitation of perpetrators.

The tension between mercy and accountability sits at the center of this debate. For leaders like Alhassan, the gospel demands engagement. For many survivors, the wounds are too fresh.