•Wants FG to stop rehabilitation of terrorists
•Directs conclusion of xenophobia probe within two weeks
Insecurity topped the agenda, again, on Tuesday, as the Senate resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu, for a thorough discussion on unabating terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry across the country.
The resolution came as lawmakers observed that counter-steps being taken by government to tackle prevailing challenges seemed not to be producing the desired results.
A delegation from the Senate to be led by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was mandated to sit with Tinubu for a heart-to-heart discussion to find urgent solutions.
…Wants FG to stop rehabilitation of terrorists
Senators faulted a trend by the government in granting pardon to repentant terrorists or insurgents through rehabilitation with taxpayers’ money.
Apart from defenceless citizens, who have been victims of insecurity, the Senate also noted that many security personnel have died in the line of duty, making their sacrifice to be in vain, when the government ended up granting pardon to the perpetrators violence.
The resolutions were taken, as the Senate debated a motion condemning the death of a former Director of Defence Information, Major-General Abubakar Rabe, in the hands of bandits, last month.
The motion, which was moved by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator AbdulAzeez Yar’Adua, also listed many serving and retired military officers, who have been killed by criminals.
Moving an additional prayer, unanimously endorsed by the Senate, Senator Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo-Central), called for the halting of granting pardon to repentant terrorists.
“The goveenment should stop granting pardon or rehabilitating repentant Boko Haram terrorists,” he moved, and was unanimously passed after Senator Adams Oshiomhole, seconded the motion.
Yar’Adua’s motion catalogued some of the officers either killed or suffered attacks since 2023, noting, “On 1 January 2023, Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto (retd) and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau–Tsafe Road in Zamfara State and were later released following negotiations.
“On September 27, 2023 Major -General Richard Chukwudi Duru (retd),was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State and was subsequently killed by his abductors despite his family paying a $50,000 ransom.
“On June 22, 2024, Brigadier -General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd), was murdered by intruders who invaded his residence at Lokogoma, Abuja.
“On February 5, 2025, former Director -General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier- General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), was abducted by bandits at his residence in Tsiga village in Katsina State
He added: “On 21 May21, 2025, Major Joe Ajayi (retd), was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kogi State and subsequently died while in captivity.
“In January 2026, Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (retd), was abducted from his residence in Plateau State and was later rescued by security forces during a special operation.
“On May 30, 2026, Major- General Rabe Abubakar, was abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State, while travelling with his wife and subsequently died in captivity.”
Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi-Central) reported the killing of six policemen in his constituency.
Condemns, directs conclusion of xenophobia probe within two weeks
Meanwhile, the Senate condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, and other African nationals, in South Africa, resulting in deaths, forceful eviction and loss of property.
Passing a resolution on a motion moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River-South), the Senate asked its Committee on Foreign Affairs to submit a report on the happenings in South Africa within two weeks to guide it proposing actions to be taken by the government in responding to the xenophobia adequately.
Senators call for reprisals against South African interests
Some senators, including Oshiomhole and Ningi, had sought for quicker decisions by the government such appropriating the profits of South African businesses in Nigeria to resettle Nigerians repatriated home in hostile circumstances.
Ningi for instance, insisted that Nigeria must sever diplomatic relations with South Africa.
“We can’t pretend those killed are not Nigerians. We are representing Nigerians. When we say caution, what do we mean by that? We can’t be condemning and not doing anything,’’ he said.