The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution calling for an end to state pardons and the rehabilitation of criminals, especially suspected Boko Haram members and other insurgents.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua on the abduction and killing of former Director of Defence Information, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, alongside other military officers.
During plenary, chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, lawmakers denounced the rehabilitation of Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals through deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes operated by some state governments.
Several senators argued that the prolonged insurgency across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, has been fuelled by the repeated release of “repentant” criminals into communities.
The Senate also voiced serious concern over the deteriorating security situation nationwide, warning that the abduction and killing of retired military officers reflects a troubling new phase in Nigeria’s security crisis.
Approving its resolution, the Senate described the late general’s killing as far beyond an individual 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 further drew attention to what it called an alarming pattern of attacks targeting both serving and retired military personnel.
Lawmakers referenced a number of incidents between January 2023 and May 2026, including the killing of retired Major General Richard Duru in Owerri after a reported $50,000 ransom payment, as well as the murder of retired Brigadier General O.M. Harlord Udokwere in Abuja.
Other cases cited 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 pattern constitutes a significant threat to the country’s 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 those targeted previously held sensitive intelligence, operational and command responsibilities, making the attacks a serious issue of national security.
The upper chamber stressed that the insecurity extends beyond the direct victims and poses grave consequences for national unity, democratic stability and public confidence in 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 applauding the Armed Forces, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for their continued commitment, lawmakers urged immediate improvements in intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, technological deployment and stronger community participation to prevent further attacks.
The Senate also observed that the persistent wave of kidnappings and killings has led to fatalities, extended captivity, huge ransom payments, emotional suffering, economic losses and profound psychological trauma for victims, their families and the nation.
