Senate moves to stop pardoning, rehabilitation of Boko Haram members, other criminals

The Senate on Tuesday approved a prayer seeking to end state pardons and the rehabilitation of criminals, particularly suspected Boko Haram members and other insurgents.

Our correspondent reports that the prayer came in support of a motion moved by Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua regarding the abduction and killing of the former Director of Defence Information, Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, and other military officers.

The plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, condemned the rehabilitation of Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals under the deradicalization and rehabilitation programmes of some state governments.

Some lawmakers linked the unending insurgency crisis in the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, to the constant release of “repentant” criminals back into society.

The Senate also expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the country, warning that the recent abduction and killing of retired military officers signals a dangerous shift in Nigeria’s security challenges.

Adopting a resolution on the matter, the Senate described the late general’s death as more than a personal tragedy.

According to the lawmakers: “The death of retired Major General Abubakar and others in the custody of terrorists represents not only personal tragedies but also a painful national loss and a stark reminder of the scale and persistence of insecurity confronting the nation.”

The Senate also highlighted what it described as a disturbing pattern of attacks on serving and retired military personnel.

It cited several incidents recorded between January 2023 and May 2026, including the killing of retired Major General Richard Duru in Owerri after a $50,000 ransom was reportedly paid, the murder of retired Brigadier General O.M. Harlord Udokwere in Abuja.

Others include the 56-day captivity of former NYSC Director-General, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga and the death in captivity of retired Major Aja in Kogi State.

The lawmakers warned that the growing trend poses a serious threat to national security.

In its resolution, the Senate stated, “The increasing frequency with which serving and retired military personnel are being targeted by criminal and terrorist groups represents a dangerous evolution in the nation’s security challenges.”

It added that many of the victims once occupied sensitive intelligence, operational, and command positions, making these targeted attacks a grave matter of national concern.

The upper legislative chamber stressed that insecurity now extends beyond individual victims, carrying severe implications for national unity, democratic stability, and public confidence in the government.

The Senate noted that: “The constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives and property remains fundamental to national unity, democratic stability, economic growth, and public trust in governance.”

While commending the Armed Forces, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for their continued sacrifices, the lawmakers called for urgent improvements in intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, the deployment of technology, and stronger community engagement to prevent future attacks.

The Senate further observed that the wave of kidnappings and killings has resulted in deaths, prolonged captivity, hefty ransom payments, emotional trauma, economic hardship, and deep psychological distress for the victims, their families, and the nation at large.

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