FG rules out terror negotiations, insists military defeat is only option

FG has ruled out negotiating with terrorists, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said on August 30, 2026, while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola. She stressed that military defeat remains the most effective way to deal with terrorism in Nigeria, adding that terrorists do not understand negotiation or mediation and only respond to a decisive security response.

The minister emphasized that Nigeria’s approach excludes any form of negotiation or mediation with terrorist groups, stating that the government believes the only language terrorists understand is the language of defeat. She noted that Nigeria’s delegation at the AU summit was tasked with communicating President Bola Tinubu’s firm position on defeating terrorism, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing him at the meeting.

For Nigerians, especially those in regions affected by insurgency, this hardline stance signals continued military operations rather than dialogue-based solutions. It may influence local security dynamics, humanitarian access, and community perceptions of safety. With negotiations off the table, the government is expected to pursue intensified offensives against terrorist groups.

Given the government's refusal to negotiate, how do you think communities affected by insurgency should balance safety concerns with any lingering calls for dialogue or alternative peace initiatives?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/30/fg-rules-out-negotiating-with-terrorists/