- The Senate urged the FG to stop the Boko Haram reintegration programme
- Lawmakers called for terrorists to be arrested and prosecuted
- Akpabio will lead a delegation to discuss insecurity with Tinubu
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to discontinue its programme for rehabilitating and reintegrating former Boko Haram fighters, insisting that authorities should instead concentrate on bringing terrorists and other violent offenders to justice.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the the position was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary after lawmakers considered a motion moved by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who raised concerns over the increasing attacks, abductions and killings involving both serving and retired military personnel.
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Describing the situation as a major threat to Nigeria’s security, the Senate directed its committees on defence, military and intelligence matters to intensify oversight of security agencies and ensure that those responsible for national security remain fully accountable.
Lawmakers also resolved that Senate President Godswill Akpabio should lead a delegation to meet President Bola Tinubu to discuss the worsening security situation and possible measures to strengthen the country’s response.
While presenting the motion, Yar’Adua said attacks on military officers, whether active or retired, had become more frequent and were leaving devastating consequences for victims, their families and the nation.
He pointed to several incidents over the past few years, including kidnappings and killings involving senior retired officers across different states.
Among the cases highlighted were the abduction of retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and two of his children in Zamfara State, the killing of retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru in Imo State after kidnappers allegedly received a ransom, and the murder of retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere at his Abuja residence.
The senator also referred to the abduction of former National Youth Service Corps Director-General, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), who was later released after spending several weeks in captivity.
He further mentioned the death of retired Major Joe Ajayi after his abduction in Kogi State, the rescue of retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku following his kidnapping in Plateau State, and the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), who was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Yar’Adua argued that the repeated attacks on former military commanders demonstrate that criminal groups are increasingly targeting individuals with extensive operational and intelligence backgrounds, a development he described as deeply troubling.
Following deliberations, senators called on the Federal Government to abandon the reintegration programme for ex-insurgents, strengthen efforts to arrest and prosecute terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals, and improve coordination among security agencies to address the country’s security challenges.
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