The Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately discontinue the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that terrorists and other violent criminals should face prosecution instead.

The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary following a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, who raised concerns over the growing wave of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and killings targeting both serving and retired military personnel across the country.

As part of its resolutions, the upper chamber directed its leadership to seek an audience with President Tinubu to formally present its concerns over the worsening security situation and recommend stronger measures to address the crisis.

Lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to ensure that terrorists, bandits and other violent offenders are arrested and prosecuted rather than enrolled in rehabilitation programmes.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Rabe Abubakar and other victims of terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping. It further resolved to send a delegation to condole with the late general’s family, the Nigerian Army and the Katsina State Government.

The chamber also commended members of the armed forces and other security agencies for their service, while calling for enhanced intelligence gathering, improved collaboration among security agencies, greater community involvement and faster deployment of advanced security technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, geospatial intelligence and integrated command-and-control platforms.

The proposal to end the rehabilitation programme was introduced by Joseph Ikpea, who argued that the policy had become a major source of public concern. His amendment received the backing of Adams Oshiomhole, who maintained that rehabilitating former insurgents while victims and families of fallen security personnel continued to suffer was unjustifiable.

Presenting the motion, Yar’Adua described Nigeria’s security challenges as increasingly complex and persistent, warning that criminal groups were now deliberately targeting serving and retired military officers. He said the recent abduction and death of Major General Abubakar underscored the evolving nature of insecurity and called for urgent action to protect security personnel and restore public confidence.

Other lawmakers, including Osita Izunaso and Abdul Ningi, supported the motion, calling for stronger legislative oversight of security institutions, including scrutiny of operational responses, casualty records and support for families of fallen personnel.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau acknowledged the security concerns raised by lawmakers but stressed the need for a balanced assessment of ongoing military operations. He noted that terrorism remains a global challenge, particularly across West Africa, while commending security personnel for their efforts and urging continued support for the armed forces.