Insecurity: Senate asks Nigerian Govt to stop rehabilitation of ‘repentant terrorists’

The Senate has asked the Nigerian government to stop rehabilitating ‘repentant terrorists’ and other violent criminals.

The red chamber during plenary on Tuesday insisted that individuals found culpable in terrorism and related criminal offences should face the full weight of the law through immediate prosecution.

The resolution formed part of additional prayers adopted by the upper legislative chamber during the consideration of a motion on the escalating attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.

The motion was sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua.

The upper chamber also argued that the prevailing security situation demands stronger deterrent measures rather than policies perceived to encourage impunity.

According to the lawmakers, persons convicted of terrorism and other organised criminal acts should be prosecuted without delay in accordance with the law. They stressed that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The additional resolution was adopted following a prayer moved by Senator Joseph Ikpea, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

The Senate also resolved to seek an audience with President Bola Tinubu to formally present its concerns over the deteriorating security situation and convey the anxieties of Nigerians regarding the persistent wave of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks across the country.

The motion was prompted by the recent abduction and death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, who was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State and later died in captivity.

YarAdua, while presenting the motion, drew attention to a disturbing pattern of targeted attacks against serving and retired military personnel across the country, warning that the trend poses a grave threat to national security and undermines the authority of the Nigerian state.

He recalled that on January 1, 2023, retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau-Tsafe Road in Zamfara State before they were eventually released after negotiations.

The Senate was also reminded of the September 27, 2023 abduction of retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru in Owerri, Imo State, who was later killed by his abductors despite the payment of a $50,000 ransom by his family.