By Palang Paul
The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members amid worsening insecurity.
The resolution was adopted on Tuesday during plenary in Abuja while lawmakers debated escalating attacks, abductions and killings across Nigeria.
The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer moved by Senator Joseph Ikpea, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, during consideration of a motion on the growing attacks against serving and retired military personnel.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army and senator representing Katsina Central.
Lawmakers said the latest call was prompted by the abduction and death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who reportedly died in captivity after he and his wife were kidnapped in Katsina State.
Leading the debate, Yar’Adua described Nigeria’s security crisis as a national emergency, warning that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities had continued to spread across the country.
He said the killing of the retired general underscored the persistent security threats confronting the nation and warned that the increasing targeting of serving and retired military personnel represented a dangerous shift in the country’s security landscape.
Supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that the rehabilitation programme should be discontinued, insisting that criminals should not be rewarded with pardon and rehabilitation.
Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest those responsible for the attacks, saying perpetrators must be brought to justice.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro also expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation, noting that travelling had become increasingly unsafe, including for public office holders.
The Senate’s resolution adds to growing calls for a review of the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration policy, with lawmakers insisting that stronger measures are needed to combat terrorism and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
The debate comes amid scrutiny of public spending on rehabilitation programmes for former insurgents. Budget performance records show that the Borno State Government spent about ₦7.7 billion on the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members between 2024 and 2025.
The records indicate that ₦4.3 billion was spent in 2025 alone on livelihood support for former insurgents, while ₦3.45 billion was expended under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme between January and September 2024.
Previous reports also showed that the Federal Government paid ₦1.2 billion to the Gombe State Government as compensation for the use of its NYSC orientation camp for Operation Safe Corridor, the programme established to deradicalise, rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram fighters.
Some serving soldiers have also reportedly expressed concerns that rehabilitated former insurgents pose security risks to ongoing military operations, calling for a review of the programme.
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