The Senate has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former Boko Haram members, urging instead that individuals involved in terrorism and banditry be arrested, prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, during plenary. The motion focused on the rising attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.
Lawmakers strongly condemned the worsening security situation in Nigeria, describing it as persistent and increasingly complex, with terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities continuing to claim innocent lives nationwide.
Senators from across party lines expressed concern that the security crisis, once concentrated in the North-East, has spread to nearly every region of the country.
The debate came as the Nigerian Army announced that two senior terrorist commanders had surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State. According to the military, the suspects are in custody and have already provided intelligence expected to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
Senate Honours Late General Abubakar
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Major-General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, as well as other Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
Lawmakers also resolved to send a delegation to the family of the late General, the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Army to convey the Senate’s condolences.
Presenting the motion, Senator Yar’Adua described the killing of General Abubakar and other retired military officers as a painful national loss requiring urgent government action.
He warned that retired military personnel remain prime targets for terrorists and kidnappers because of their previous operational and intelligence responsibilities, adding that continued attacks on security personnel weaken troop morale and embolden criminal groups.
Growing Attacks on Retired Military Officers
The Senate highlighted several attacks on retired senior military officers recorded since 2023 in states including Zamfara, Imo, Katsina, Kogi, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among the incidents cited were the kidnapping of Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto (retd), the killing of Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru after a ransom was reportedly paid, the murder of Brigadier-General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd), the abduction of former NYSC Director-General Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), the death of retired Major Joe Ajayi in captivity, the rescue of Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (retd), and the death of Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in captivity.
Lawmakers said the pattern of attacks has weakened public confidence in the nation’s security system and raised concerns about the state’s ability to protect even retired military personnel.
Lawmakers Oppose Reintegration Policy
During the debate, Senator Joseph Ikpea called for an immediate end to the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members, arguing that the policy has become a major concern for Nigerians.
His proposal received support from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who maintained that pardoning, rehabilitating and reintegrating former insurgents sends the wrong message at a time victims of terrorism and the families of fallen security personnel are still suffering the consequences of violent attacks.
Oshiomhole urged the government to prioritise justice for victims, accountability for offenders and greater support for security personnel.
Senate Calls for Stronger Security Measures
Beyond ending the rehabilitation programme, the Senate urged security and intelligence agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, threat assessment and early warning systems to improve responses to security threats.
Lawmakers also recommended stronger collaboration with local communities, traditional rulers and religious leaders to improve community-based intelligence.
In addition, the Senate called on the Federal Government to accelerate the deployment of modern security technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, geospatial intelligence, integrated command and control platforms, and advanced communication systems to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The Senate commended the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies for their continued sacrifices while stressing the need for stronger legislative oversight of the security sector.
Calls for Increased Oversight
Senator Abdul Ningi urged the National Assembly to intensify oversight of security agencies by reviewing casualty records, operational responses and support provided to the families of fallen security personnel.
Senator Osita Izunaso, who seconded the motion, described the repeated attacks on serving and retired military officers as disturbing and called for tougher measures against criminal groups.
Barau Commends Security Forces
Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, acknowledged lawmakers’ concerns but noted that terrorism remains a global challenge affecting several countries, particularly within the West African region.
He praised Nigerian security personnel for their efforts in tackling insecurity, saying troops have continued to record successes against criminal elements and deserve sustained public support.
Army Confirms Surrender of Two Terrorist Commanders
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army confirmed that two senior terrorist commanders surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Geidam, Borno State, on July 4 before arriving in Maiduguri the following day.
In a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said the suspects are currently undergoing profiling, debriefing and intelligence exploitation.
The Army identified the pair as senior figures within the terrorist leadership structure, adding that preliminary interrogation has yielded valuable intelligence on the group’s operations, logistics and command structure.
Military authorities said the information obtained will strengthen intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling remaining terrorist enclaves across the North-East.
The Army described the surrender as another significant setback for insurgents, attributing it to sustained land and air offensives backed by improved intelligence operations.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to continuing offensive operations and working with relevant stakeholders to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
The latest surrender has also renewed debate over the Federal Government’s approach to handling surrendered insurgents, following the Senate’s call for captured terrorists to face prosecution rather than rehabilitation. Military authorities, however, said the debriefing process remains ongoing and did not indicate whether the two commanders would eventually face prosecution or enter the rehabilitation programme.
