Counterterrorism requires both a hard and a soft approach, and one of the soft approaches is a de-radicalisation programme. This programme has been active, sustaining and successful in some countries where terrorists have been operating. Nigeria is one of the countries where the terrorist group, Boko Haram has heightened fears among Nigerians due to their incessant horrific attacks in some parts of the country. Over the years, the overarching counterterrorism phenomena and approach have been strictly military based, with Boko Haram increasing in members to intensify its attacks. This paper the recent efforts by Nigerian government to adopt a complementary approach called de-radicalisation. This involves the capture and imprisonment of Boko Haram and those who voluntarily lay down their weapons and surrender themselves to the security agencies. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. The study time to contextualizing radicalisation, deradicalisation and disengagement for the study unsympathetically scrutinise the current de-radicalisation programme of the government, while it identifies some of the challenges inherent in it. The conclusions drawn are an early warning for the need for comprehensive de-radicalisation and re-integration of former combatants as significant to avert high recidivism.

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