Negotiating with terrorist and armed groups, such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the loosely organized “bandits” in northwest Nigeria, has become an ongoing policy challenge for Nigerian federal and state authorities, local communities, and international partners. These negotiations, which range from informal local truces and ransom payments to formal amnesty and deradicalization offers, can provide short-term humanitarian benefits, such as freeing hostages and restoring local calm. However, they also present significant political, security, and ethical risks: they could legitimize criminal actors, encourage more kidnappings and attacks, weaken the state’s monopoly on violence, and undermine long-term rule of law. This report reviews existing literature, recent case studies, and policy frameworks to analyse their effects and risks, and offers practical policy options with guidance for implementation. It draws on academic analyses, policy papers, and recent reports on amnesty initiatives and community-led negotiations.
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