By PJ Usanga, CSN Media
The Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) has sharply criticised the Federal Government’s ongoing deradicalisation and reintegration programmes for “repented” terrorists, describing the policy as contradictory, unjust, and harmful to national security.
This position formed part of the communiqué issued at the close of the Association’s 17th National Conference, held from 13 to 16 November, 2025 at the Madonna Renewal Centre, Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State.
The four-day gathering attended by Papal Knights and Medalists honoured by successive Pontiffs, opened with Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace Valerian Okeke. Goodwill messages were also received from Pope Leo XIV and the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty. Delegates reflected deeply on the conference theme, “Faith, Hope and Charity in Contemporary Societies,” guided by keynote addresses from Archbishop Okeke and the Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
In its communiqué, the Association expressed grave concern over the continued assaults on Christian and minority communities nationwide. It warned that the rising population of internally displaced persons, many living in devastating poverty has now attracted global concern.
Against this backdrop, participants criticised the deradicalisation and reintegration of former terrorists, some of whom, they claimed, later undermined security agencies from within, while victims remain abandoned in under-resourced IDP camps. They called for the interdiction, prosecution and adequate punishment of perpetrators of violence, as well as the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The Papal honorees expressed particular concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating socio-economic and security environment, warning that the erosion of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity has contributed to widespread national instability.
The Knights highlighted rampant insecurity, hyperinflation, youth restiveness, drug abuse, kidnapping, unemployment, and Nigeria’s troubling status as the country with the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. These challenges, they argued, have deepened hopelessness, especially among the nation’s growing youthful population.
Delegates further condemned what they described as excessive government borrowing that mortgages the future of younger generations. They also decried systemic corruption across the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, noting that this has worsened the plight of ordinary Nigerians and further weakened public confidence.
The communiqué urged the Federal Government to “rejig the social contract” by ensuring the passage and signing of a robust Electoral Reform Act that would safeguard the sanctity of votes during elections. Delegates insisted that vote buying and vote suppression be addressed decisively to restore public trust in the electoral process.
The Association also criticised what it described as the “woeful performance” of many ministers and state governors, insisting that public officials unable to deliver democratic dividends should vacate their positions.
The Knights called on Church leaders, parents, educators, community influencers and political office holders to embrace the virtues of faith, hope and charity as foundational values for rebuilding Nigeria. Governments at all levels were urged to prioritise job creation and the reduction of the cost of living to restore hope among citizens.
They also appealed to individuals and organisations to support the rehabilitation and education of inmates in correctional centres, describing such facilities as potential hubs for genuine reformation if meaningfully developed.
The statement was jointly signed by the National President of the Association, Rt. Hon. Comdr. Steve Adehi, SAN, KCSS, and the National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Rosemary Azumi, MP.
