The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to suspend the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for Boko Haram members, citing worsening insecurity and attacks on serving and retired military personnel.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former Boko Haram members, citing the worsening security situation and the increasing attacks on serving and retired military personnel across the country.
The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary after a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings, killings and targeted attacks on military officers, describing the trend as a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security and state authority.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute terrorists and other criminal elements responsible for violent attacks nationwide instead of continuing programmes aimed at rehabilitating former insurgents.
Lawmakers also directed the Senate committees responsible for defence, national security and intelligence to strengthen oversight of security agencies and ensure that Nigeria’s security chiefs remain fully accountable for addressing the country’s deteriorating security challenges.
The upper chamber further resolved that a delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio should meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the worsening security crisis and explore stronger measures to restore peace across the country.
Senate Highlights Series of Attacks on Military Officers
While presenting the motion, Senator Yar’Adua listed several high-profile incidents involving serving and retired military personnel who were abducted or killed by terrorists and criminal gangs.
Among the cases highlighted were:
- The abduction of retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two children along the Gusau–Tsafe Road in Zamfara State on January 1, 2023.
- The kidnapping and subsequent killing of retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru in Imo State in September 2023 despite the payment of a reported $50,000 ransom.
- The murder of retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere at his residence in Lokogoma, Abuja, in June 2024.
- The abduction of former NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), who spent 56 days in captivity before regaining freedom in April 2025.
- The abduction and death of retired Major Joe Ajayi in Kogi State in May 2025.
- The kidnapping and rescue of retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku in Plateau State in January 2026.
- 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 the lawmaker, the repeated targeting of military veterans and serving officers demonstrates a dangerous shift in Nigeria’s security landscape, especially as many of the victims previously occupied sensitive operational, intelligence and command positions within the nation’s security architecture.
He noted that the killing of Major General Abubakar and other victims while in captivity represents a painful national loss and further exposes the persistent insecurity affecting communities across the country.
Senate Calls for Stronger Security Response
Following deliberations, senators unanimously urged the Federal Government to prioritise the arrest, prosecution and punishment of terrorists and other violent offenders while strengthening intelligence gathering and security operations nationwide.
The Senate maintained that suspending the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former terrorists would reflect the government’s commitment to justice and reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
The lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to working with the executive arm of government to address the country’s growing security concerns through enhanced legislative oversight and strategic engagement with the Presidency.
