Senate challenges Tinubu on insecurity, tells FG to stop reintegrating repentant Boko Haram members

Insecurity again dominated proceedings in the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers resolved to meet President Bola Tinubu over the worsening wave of terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry across the country.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to halt the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members into society, arguing that the policy had become a source of growing public concern.

The resolutions followed a debate on a motion sponsored by AbdulAzeez Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, on the escalating attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel, particularly the recent killing of former Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Rabe, by bandits.

Lawmakers observed that measures being taken by the government to tackle insecurity had yet to produce the desired results.

Consequently, the Senate mandated its leadership to meet with President Tinubu to present its concerns over the deteriorating security situation and advocate more decisive measures to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.

It also urged the Federal Government to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are arrested and prosecuted.

Moving an additional prayer, Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo Central) called for an end to the government’s policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists.

“The government should stop granting pardon or rehabilitating repentant Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

The prayer was unanimously adopted after Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) seconded it.

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Supporting the proposal, Oshiomhole said the policy was unjustifiable while victims of terrorism and families of slain security personnel continued to bear the consequences of insurgent attacks.

“I rise to support the prayer, because it does not make even common sense to grant pardon, rehabilitate and reintegrate criminals into society.”

He added, “Therefore, I support it in total.”

Presenting the motion, Yar’Adua described insecurity as increasingly complex and alarming, saying criminal groups had become more sophisticated by deliberately targeting serving and retired military personnel.

He listed several cases involving retired senior military officers who had been abducted or killed across the country, including:

“On 1 January 2023, retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau–Tsafe Road in Zamfara State and were later released following negotiations.

“On 27 September 2023, retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State and was subsequently killed by his abductors despite his family paying a $50,000 ransom.

“On 22 June 2024, retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere was brutally murdered by intruders who invaded his residence at Sunshine Homes Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja.

“On 5 February 2025, former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, was abducted by bandits at his residence in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State and regained his freedom only after spending fifty-six days in captivity.”

He further noted, “On 21 May 2025, retired Major Joe Ajayi was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kogi State and subsequently died while in captivity despite efforts to secure his release.

“In January 2026, retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku was abducted from his residence in Plateau State and was later rescued by security forces during a special operation.

“On 30 May 2026, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State while travelling with his wife and subsequently died in captivity.”

Also contributing, Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central) disclosed that six policemen had recently been killed in his constituency, lamenting that while the families of the deceased received little support, those responsible for their deaths were being treated with kid gloves.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of Maj.-Gen. Rabe and other victims of terrorism and resolved to send a delegation to condole with his family, the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Army.

It also commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices while urging them to strengthen intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, community engagement and the deployment of technology to combat insecurity.

Earlier, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said insecurity remained one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges despite the National Assembly’s recess.

“Yet while democracy advanced, the challenges confronting our nation did not go into recess. Insecurity continues to cast long shadows across our country. Many families remain prisoners of fear,” Akpabio said.

He also lamented the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State and other Nigerians still being held by terrorists.

“To their families, we send more than sympathy; we send solidarity. We cannot pretend to know the weight of your sleepless nights.

“Yet we want you to know that we remember you. We carry your pain into our deliberations. Your suffering is our nation’s suffering.

“For as long as one Nigerian remains in captivity, all Nigerians share in that captivity.”