Senate Urges End to Reintegration of Ex-Insurgents Amid Rising Insecurity
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of former insurgents, citing growing concerns over worsening insecurity across the country.
The position was reached following deliberations on a motion addressing escalating attacks, abductions, and killings, particularly those targeting serving and retired military personnel. Lawmakers described the current security situation as increasingly complex and alarming, with persistent threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency to banditry and kidnapping.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate directed its leadership to urgently engage President Bola Tinubu on the deteriorating security landscape and advocate for stronger, more decisive measures to curb violent crimes nationwide. It also stressed the need for perpetrators of such acts to be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In honour of victims of insecurity, including the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, the chamber observed a minute of silence and resolved to send a delegation to commiserate with his family, the Katsina State Government, and the Nigerian Army.
The motion, sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, highlighted a troubling pattern of targeted attacks on both active and retired military officers. Lawmakers noted that such incidents not only result in loss of lives but also undermine morale within the armed forces and weaken public confidence in the state’s ability to provide security.
The Senate further recommended enhanced intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, alongside improved surveillance, threat assessment, and early warning systems. It also encouraged deeper collaboration between security institutions and local communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to strengthen grassroots intelligence.
Additionally, the lawmakers called for accelerated deployment of modern security technologies, including unmanned aerial systems and advanced communication infrastructure, to improve operational effectiveness.
The call to end reintegration programmes followed concerns raised by several senators, who argued that such policies could be counterproductive at a time when victims of insurgency continue to grapple with loss and trauma.
While acknowledging the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, the Senate emphasized the urgency of adopting more robust and comprehensive strategies to address the country’s evolving security challenges.
