The Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately suspend its rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram members, insisting that suspected terrorists should face arrest and prosecution rather than be returned to society.
The resolution followed a motion moved during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who raised concerns over the increasing attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.
Lawmakers described the persistent targeting of security officers, including senior retired military officials, as a grave threat to Nigeria’s national security and the authority of the state.
The Senate also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and prosecute terrorists and other violent criminals responsible for the growing insecurity nationwide.
It further tasked its committees on defence and national security with strengthening oversight of security agencies to ensure that the nation’s security chiefs are held accountable for improving the country’s security situation.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate agreed that a delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio should meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the deteriorating security situation and explore possible solutions.
While presenting the motion, Senator Yar’Adua referenced several high-profile cases involving the abduction and killing of serving and retired military officers, including retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, retired Major General Richard Duru, retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere, former NYSC Director General Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), and other victims, some of whom were reportedly killed despite ransom payments.
