Senate to Tinubu: Stop Rehabilitating Boko Haram Members, Prosecute Them

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately end the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members, insisting that terrorists and bandits should be prosecuted rather than returned to society.

The resolution followed heated deliberations on the worsening security situation across the country, with lawmakers expressing concern over the continued attacks by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups that have claimed countless lives and displaced thousands of Nigerians.

Senators argued that the current policy of rehabilitating former insurgents has generated widespread public outrage and should be discontinued in the interest of justice and national security.

The upper chamber called on the Federal Government to ensure that individuals involved in terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes are arrested, investigated and made to face the full weight of the law instead of being reintegrated into communities.

The Senate also resolved to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally present its concerns over the deteriorating security situation and push for stronger measures to combat terrorism, kidnapping and violent criminality across the country.

Lawmakers further demanded a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, including greater investment in intelligence gathering, advanced surveillance technology and improved coordination among security agencies.

During the plenary, senators observed a minute of silence in honour of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and other Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and related violent crimes.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army announced that two senior terrorist commanders had surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State. Military authorities said the suspects are in custody and have provided useful intelligence to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

The Senate maintained that ending insecurity requires a firmer approach that prioritises justice for victims, accountability for offenders and stronger protection for communities across the country.