Senate Demands Prosecution of Terrorists, Halts Reintegration Policy
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt the policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former Boko Haram members into society, urging instead that all perpetrators of terrorism and banditry be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance on escalating attacks, abductions, and killings of serving and retired military personnel, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, during plenary on Tuesday, July 7.
Condemnation of Worsening Insecurity
The Senate condemned in strong terms the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, describing it as increasingly complex, persistent, and alarming, manifesting through terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, attacks on communities, and continued loss of innocent lives across the country. Debate on the issue drew contributions from senators across party lines, reflecting deep concerns within the National Assembly over a security crisis that has expanded beyond its traditional North-East epicentre to touch virtually every zone of the country.
Surrender of Terrorist Commanders
This development came as the Nigerian Army announced the surrender of two senior terrorist commanders to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, stating that the detained suspects have provided valuable intelligence expected to aid ongoing operations against insurgents in the North-East.
Minute of Silence and Delegation
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of late Major-General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and all Nigerians who lost their lives to terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping across the federation. It resolved that the Senate leadership would immediately constitute a delegation of senators to visit the family of the late General, the Katsina State government, and the Nigerian Army to convey its condolences.
Attacks on Retired Officers Undermine Morale
Moving the motion, Senator Yar’Adua said the killing of General Abubakar and other retired officers “represents not only personal tragedy but also a painful national loss demanding urgent action.” He noted that retired officers remain attractive targets for terrorists and kidnappers because of their previous operational, intelligence, and command responsibilities, warning that persistent attacks on security personnel undermine troop morale and embolden criminal groups challenging the authority of the state.
Senator Yar’Adua listed a string of attacks on retired senior officers across Zamfara, Imo, Abuja, Katsina, Kogi, and Plateau states since 2023. On January 1, 2023, Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto (retd) and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau–Tsafe Road, Zamfara State, and later released after negotiations. On September 27, 2023, Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State, and killed by his abductors despite his family paying a $50,000 ransom. On June 22, 2024, Brigadier-General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd) was murdered by intruders who invaded his residence in Lokogoma, Abuja. On February 5, 2025, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was abducted at his residence in Katsina State and regained freedom after 56 days in captivity. On May 21, 2025, Retired Major Joe Ajayi was abducted from his residence in Kogi State and died in captivity. In January 2026, Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (retd) was abducted in Plateau State and later rescued by security forces in a special operation. On May 30, 2026, Retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists in Katsina State and subsequently died in captivity.
Impact on Public Confidence
The Senate said the pattern undermines morale within the armed forces, weakens public confidence in the state’s capacity to provide security, and emboldens criminal elements who perceive the state as incapable of protecting even those who once defended it.
Criticism of De-radicalisation Programme
The de-radicalisation and reintegration programme targeted by the Senate has, for years, formed a central plank of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic approach to ending the North-East insurgency, with repentant fighters screened and resettled in host communities after rehabilitation. That rationale came under direct fire on the Senate floor, with lawmakers arguing that the policy had, in practice, come to be seen by ordinary Nigerians as rewarding violence rather than deterring it.
Additional Prayer to Halt Rehabilitation
The call to halt the rehabilitation of former insurgents was raised as an additional prayer by Senator Joseph Ikpea, who argued that the policy had become a source of growing public concern deserving urgent legislative attention. He stated, “Mr. President, my additional prayer is that the issue of insecurity has become something Nigerians are deeply concerned about. One of the issues we need to look at is the rehabilitation of Boko Haram members. My additional prayer is to stop the rehabilitation of Boko Haram.” The proposal was seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who said the policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former insurgents defies logic at a time victims of terrorism and families of fallen security personnel are still grappling with the consequences of insurgent attacks.
