The Senate has urged the federal government to immediately halt all pardons and rehabilitation programmes for suspected Boko Haram members, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals. This decision follows the recent kidnapping and killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, along with other military officers.
Motion and Debate
The recommendation was approved on Tuesday, July 7, during plenary after a motion by Senator Abdulazeez Yar'Adua. The session was presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau. During the debate, senators strongly criticized the deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes run by some state governments, arguing that they have failed to address the root causes of insurgency.
According to a report by Daily Trust, lawmakers linked Nigeria's prolonged insurgency, particularly in the North, to the continued release of individuals who had undergone such programmes. They expressed concerns that these policies have not led to genuine repentance or reintegration, but rather allowed criminals to return to their activities.
Pattern of Attacks on Military Personnel
The Senate highlighted a growing pattern of attacks on both serving and retired military personnel. Between January 2023 and May 2026, several incidents were recorded, including the killing of retired Major General Richard Duru in Owerri after a reported $50,000 ransom was paid, the murder of retired Brigadier General O.M. Harlord Udokwere in Abuja, the 56-day captivity of former NYSC Director-General retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, and the death of retired Major Aja while in captivity in Kogi state.
The lawmakers noted that these attacks have wider implications for national security, as many victims previously held sensitive intelligence, operational, and command positions. The resolution stated: "The death of retired Major General Abubakar and others in the custody of terrorists represents not only personal tragedies but also a painful national loss and a stark reminder of the scale and persistence of insecurity confronting the nation."
Call for Stronger Security Measures
The Senate emphasized the government's constitutional duty to protect lives and property, which is essential for national unity, democratic stability, economic growth, and public confidence. The lawmakers commended the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for their efforts.
They urged these agencies to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, deploy more technology, and work closely with local communities to prevent future attacks. The Senate noted that the continued wave of kidnappings and killings has led to deaths, lengthy captivity periods, huge ransom payments, emotional trauma, economic hardship, and lasting psychological pain for victims, families, and the country.
Questions Over General Rabe's Body
Earlier, conflicting accounts emerged over how the remains of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar were recovered after he died in captivity following his abduction in Katsina state. One security source claimed the kidnappers handed over the body to officials at a designated location, while another account alleged residents found the remains abandoned before alerting security operatives.
