By Jeremy Fregene
The Senate on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to immediately halt its rehabilitation programme for repentant Boko Haram members and bandits, declaring that criminals should not be rewarded while Nigerians, including military officers, continue to lose their lives to terrorism.
The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer moved by Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) during debate on the worsening security situation across the country.
Supporting the proposal, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that granting amnesty and rehabilitating terrorists defied logic, insisting that those who had committed violent crimes should face justice rather than be reintegrated into society.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army, was prompted by the abduction and death in captivity of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Describing insecurity as a national emergency, Yar’Adua lamented that terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping had become increasingly sophisticated, with serving and retired military personnel now prime targets of criminal gangs.
He warned that attacks on military officers not only represent painful national losses but also weaken the morale of security agencies, erode public confidence, and embolden terrorists.
The lawmaker recalled several attacks on senior military officers in recent years, including the kidnap of retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto, the abduction and killing of retired Major General Richard Duru, the murder of retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere, the kidnap of former NYSC Director-General Maharazu Tsiga, the death of retired Major Joe Ajayi in captivity, and the abduction and subsequent rescue of retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku.
Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), who seconded the motion, urged security agencies to ensure the perpetrators of the attacks were tracked down and prosecuted.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro said the worsening insecurity had made road travel unsafe even for public office holders, recounting the killing of a university professor near a police checkpoint in Benue State. He urged the Senate leadership to brief President Bola Tinubu on lawmakers’ concerns over the deteriorating security situation.
Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi questioned why criminal groups appeared to be controlling parts of the country and called for an investigation into the number of security personnel killed in the line of duty, as well as the welfare of their families.
Responding, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau defended the efforts of the armed forces, saying security personnel were working tirelessly despite the growing regional threat posed by terrorism and banditry across West Africa.
The Senate also urged security and intelligence agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, threat assessment, and early warning systems, while calling for greater collaboration with local communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to improve grassroots intelligence.
Lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to fast-track the deployment of modern security technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, geospatial intelligence, integrated command-and-control platforms, and advanced communication systems, to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
The Senate also resolved to send a delegation to condole with the family of the late Major General Abubakar, the Katsina State Government, and the Nigerian Army.