The 10th Senate has asked the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members, insisting that suspected terrorists and other violent criminals should be arrested, prosecuted and brought to justice.
The resolution was adopted yesterday during deliberations on the worsening security situation across the country, following a Motion sponsored by Senator AbdulAziz Musa Yar’Adua, the senator representing Katsina-Central federal constituency and chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.
The Motion, titled: ‘Escalating Attacks, Abductions and Killings of Serving and Retired Military Personnel: A Growing Threat to National Security and State Authority in Nigeria’, was prompted by the abduction and death of retired Major-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who died in captivity after he was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina state.
Yar’Adua described Nigeria’s security crisis as a national emergency, warning that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks on communities had become increasingly complex, persistent and alarming. He said the killing of Abubakar and others in terrorist custody was not only a personal tragedy for their families but also a painful national loss and a reminder of the depth of insecurity confronting the country.
According to him, criminal and terrorist groups have become more sophisticated and emboldened, extending their attacks beyond civilian communities to serving and retired military personnel. He warned that such attacks undermine troop morale, weaken public confidence in the state’s ability to protect citizens and embolden armed groups operating across the country.
The senator cited previous attacks on senior military figures, including the abduction of retired Col. Rabiu Garba Yandoto in Zamfara in January 2023; the kidnap and killing of retired Major-Gen. Richard Duru in Imo, in September 2023, despite ransom payment; the murder of retired Brigadier-Gen. Uwem Udokwere in Abuja in June 2024; the abduction of former NYSC Director-General Maharazu Tsiga in Katsina, in February 2025; the death of retired Major Joe Ajayi in captivity in Kogi, in May 2025; and the abduction and rescue of retired Col. Joseph Ajanaku in Plateau in January 2026.
The call to stop rehabilitating former Boko Haram members came as an additional prayer proposed by Senator Joseph Ikpea, of Edo-Central. Supporting the proposal, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, of Edo-North, said it made no sense for government to pardon and rehabilitate criminals while victims and security personnel continued to suffer the consequences of terrorism.
Senate also urged security and intelligence agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, inter-agency collaboration, threat assessment and early warning systems. Lawmakers called for deeper partnerships with local communities, traditional rulers and religious leaders to improve community-based intelligence and build trust between citizens and security agencies.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau defended the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, saying personnel on the frontlines were working hard under difficult conditions. He noted that terrorism and banditry had become regional challenges affecting several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Abubakar and other Nigerians killed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping. It also resolved to send a delegation to the late general’s family, the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Army to convey its condolences.
