The Senate on Tuesday asked the federal government to halt the practice of pardoning and reintegrating surrendered Boko Haram fighters, saying the policy is no longer working with insecurity getting worse nationwide.
The call came during plenary after senators debated a motion on the kidnap and killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and other military officers by bandits. The motion was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central.
While discussing the matter, Senator Joseph Ikpea from Edo Central proposed that the government should scrap the rehabilitation programme for repentant insurgents entirely. Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North supported him, saying it makes no sense to pardon and retrain people who committed crimes.
Oshiomhole, a former Edo governor and senior member of the APC, also asked the Senate to pass a law that will permanently stop the rehabilitation of former Boko Haram members.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presided over the session and put the proposal to a voice vote. Most senators voted in support.
The Senate’s position is not binding on the executive. It will be sent to the Presidency for review. To cancel or change the programme, the federal government will have to take action and may also need to amend current counterterrorism laws.
Nigeria started the rehabilitation programme in 2016 through Operation Safe Corridor. The plan was to deradicalise and return to society fighters who gave up, especially in the North-east. The programme grew bigger in 2021 after thousands surrendered following clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP, and after Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau died.
The Defence Headquarters coordinates the programme with help from the ministries of justice, education, health, women affairs, humanitarian affairs and the National Orientation Agency.
Ex-fighters who pass screening and are not linked to serious crimes go through counselling, religious teaching, skills training and basic classes at a centre in Gombe State. After that, they are handed over to their state governments for reintegration. States like Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have received such returnees. Officials in Borno say the process helps weaken insurgent groups and provides useful information to troops.
But the policy has drawn strong criticism from victims’ groups, civil society organisations and some security experts. They argue that communities are still hurting and are not ready to welcome former fighters, especially when victims have not gotten justice or support. Others also question how well participants are screened and worry some may go back to terrorism.
Those who support the programme, including military leaders and some foreign partners, say it follows international standards for disarmament and reintegration. They believe fighting alone cannot end the insurgency and that giving fighters a way out encourages more of them to surrender.
The Senate also approved a separate prayer by Minority Leader Abba Moro for its leadership to form a team to meet President Bola Tinubu over the country’s worsening security.
In his presentation, Yar’Adua, a retired colonel, said terrorist groups are now more daring and have started targeting soldiers. He condemned the killing of General Abubakar and other officers. The Senate agreed to send condolence visits to the general’s family, the Katsina State government and the Nigerian Army.
Lawmakers further urged the federal government to speed up the use of modern security equipment such as drones, geospatial intelligence, joint command systems and better communication tools to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.