ABUJA: The Senate has formally called on the Federal Government to halt its policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former Boko Haram members into society. Lawmakers instead urged authorities to ensure that individuals responsible for terrorism and banditry face arrest and full prosecution under the law. 

The legislative resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance introduced by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army. The motion highlighted a rise in targeted attacks, abductions, and killings of both serving and retired military personnel across Nigeria.

During the plenary session, lawmakers from various political parties condemned the deteriorating security situation, noting that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping have expanded well beyond the North-East into virtually every region of the country.

Rise in Targeted Attacks on Retired Officers

The Senate observed a minute of silence for the late Major-General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, alongside all citizens who have lost their lives to insecurity. A delegation of senators will visit Katsina State and the Nigerian Army to deliver condolences to General Abubakar's family.

Senator Yar’Adua emphasized that retired military officers have become primary targets for criminal networks due to their extensive backgrounds in intelligence, command, and strategy. He warned that targeting these personnel severely damages troop morale and challenges state authority. The Senate detailed a series of high-profile abductions and killings since 2023 across several states:

• January 2023: Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto (retd) and his children were abducted in Zamfara State and later released.

• September 2023: Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru was kidnapped and killed in Imo State despite a ransom payment.

• June 2024: Brigadier-General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd) was murdered in his Abuja residence.

• February 2025: Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd) was held captive for 56 days before regaining freedom in Katsina State.

• May 2025: Retired Major Joe Ajayi died in captivity following his abduction in Kogi State.

• January 2026: Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (retd) was rescued by security forces during a special operation in Plateau State.

• May 2026: Retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar died in captivity after being abducted with his wife in Katsina State.

Lawmakers Criticize Reintegration Policy

The federal government’s long-standing de-radicalization and reintegration initiative, designed as a non-kinetic strategy to curb the North-East insurgency, faced heavy criticism on the Senate floor.

Senator Joseph Ikpea introduced an additional prayer calling for an immediate halt to the rehabilitation program, stating that the public increasingly views the policy as a reward for violence rather than a deterrent.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded the proposal, arguing that granting pardons and resettling former insurgents lacks logic while victims of terrorism and families of fallen soldiers continue to suffer. He demanded that government priorities shift toward victims' justice, perpetrator accountability, and direct support for security forces.

Call for Tech-Driven Security and Stronger Oversight

To address the broader crisis, the Senate directed intelligence and security agencies to upgrade early warning systems, surveillance operations, and threat assessments. Lawmakers urged the federal government to accelerate the deployment of advanced technology, including:

• Unmanned aerial systems (drones)

• Geo-spatial intelligence tools

• Integrated command and control platforms

• Advanced communication networks

Furthermore, the Senate called for deeper collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local communities to build trust-driven intelligence networks.

Senator Abdul Ningi and Senator Osita Izunaso pushed for stricter legislative oversight of the defense sector. They insisted that the National Assembly closely monitor casualty records, operational responses, and welfare support for the families of deceased personnel.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau acknowledged the validity of these concerns but urged a balanced perspective. He noted that terrorism is a regional challenge across West Africa and commended the armed forces for their ongoing sacrifices and successes in neutralizing criminal elements.

Terrorist Commanders Surrender in Borno State

The legislative debate coincides with a statement from Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, confirming the surrender of two high-ranking terrorist commanders. The individuals surrendered to troops in Geidam before being transferred to Maiduguri for military custody, detailed profiling, and debriefing.

According to military authorities, the detained individuals held influential leadership positions and possess critical knowledge of the group's logistics, operational methods, and command structures. Preliminary interrogations have already yielded actionable intelligence expected to assist ongoing land and air offensives against remaining insurgent enclaves in the Lake Chad Basin.

While the military described the surrenders as a significant setback for the terrorist faction, the timing places renewed pressure on how the executive branch handles high-level defectors. The military statement did not clarify whether the two commanders would face prosecution or be placed into a rehabilitation stream, noting only that intelligence exploitation remains underway.