Stop rehabilitating, reintegrating Boko Haram members into society, Senate tells FG

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram members, urging security agencies to focus on arresting and prosecuting terrorists and other criminal elements responsible for violent attacks across the country.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua during Tuesday’s plenary on the rising attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel.

Lawmakers described the growing attacks as a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security and the authority of the state.

The Senate also directed its committees overseeing security matters to intensify oversight of security agencies and ensure that the country’s security chiefs remain accountable in tackling the worsening security situation.

In addition, the upper chamber resolved that a delegation led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, should meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the deteriorating security situation across the country.

While presenting the motion, Senator Yar’Adua expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks targeting both serving and retired military officers, noting that the incidents had resulted in deaths, kidnappings, prolonged captivity, ransom payments, emotional trauma and economic hardship for victims and their families.

He cited several cases, including the abduction of retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two children in Zamfara State on January 1, 2023, and the kidnapping and killing of retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru in Imo State in September 2023 despite the payment of a $50,000 ransom.

The senator also recalled the killing of retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere at his residence in Lokogoma, Abuja, in June 2024, and the abduction of former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), who regained his freedom after spending 56 days in captivity in 2025.

Other cases highlighted included the abduction and death of retired Major Joe Ajayi in Kogi State, the kidnapping and rescue of retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku in Plateau State, and the abduction and death in captivity of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), who was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State on May 30, 2026.

According to Yar’Adua, the repeated targeting of retired and serving military officers by terrorists represents a dangerous trend because many of the victims previously occupied sensitive command, intelligence and operational positions within Nigeria’s security architecture.

Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Government to suspend the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for terrorists, intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of violent crimes, and strengthen the nation’s security response through enhanced oversight and direct engagement with the Presidency.

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