The Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members, insisting that suspected terrorists should be arrested, prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law.
The upper chamber also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation across the country, describing the rising wave of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes as a growing threat to national security, economic activities and the lives of Nigerians.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), titled, “Escalating Attacks, Abductions and Killings of Serving and Retired Military Personnel: A Growing Threat to National Security and State Authority in Nigeria.”
As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to ensure that all perpetrators of terrorist attacks and other violent crimes are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Lawmakers also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar and other Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and related acts of violence.
The Senate further resolved to constitute a delegation to visit the family of the late military officer, the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Army to convey its condolences.
The lawmakers commended the Armed Forces, security agencies and intelligence services for their sacrifices in defending the country, while calling for improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced surveillance, effective early warning systems and wider deployment of modern security technology.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration between security agencies, local communities, traditional institutions and religious leaders to enhance community-based intelligence and improve security operations.
The call to end the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram members followed an additional prayer moved by Senator Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo Central), who argued that the policy had become a growing source of public concern.
