Senate calls for halt to rehabilitation of repentant terrorists, requests meeting with Tinubu over insecurity

On Tuesday, the Senate urged the Federal Government to cease the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members, criticizing the policy as unsuitable given Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.

This resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua regarding the abduction and murder of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and other military personnel by bandits.

During discussions, Senator Joseph Ikpea suggested an amendment to formally end the rehabilitation program for Boko Haram members, which was strongly supported by Senator Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole contended that forgiving and rehabilitating criminals “does not make common sense” and urged the Senate to contemplate legislation that would permanently terminate the program.

The amendment was passed by a majority of senators via a voice vote led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

Additionally, the Senate agreed to send a delegation to President Bola Tinubu to address the nation’s worsening security circumstances after a motion proposed by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro was accepted.

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Yar’Adua, while presenting the motion, voiced concerns about the increasing sophistication of terrorist and bandit operations, noting their shift from attacking communities to targeting military personnel.

He condemned the killings of Major General Abubakar and other security officials and called on the Federal Government to promptly deploy modern security technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial intelligence, integrated command-and-control systems, and advanced communication tools to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.

While the Senate’s resolution carries no legal weight, it reflects the views of the upper chamber and will be communicated to the Presidency for consideration.