The Senate says individuals found guilty of terrorism and other violent crimes should face prosecution rather than rehabilitation, insisting that stronger deterrent measures are needed to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
The Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and ensure that persons found culpable of terrorism and other violent crimes are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The resolution followed the consideration of a motion on the rising cases of attacks, kidnappings and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.
The motion, sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, urged the government to adopt tougher measures against terrorism, warning that policies perceived to encourage impunity could undermine national security.
Lawmakers maintained that individuals convicted of terrorism and other organised criminal offences should face the full weight of the law, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.
The additional resolution was adopted after a prayer moved by Senator Joseph Ikpea and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate also agreed to seek an audience with President Bola Tinubu to formally convey its concerns over the country’s worsening security situation, including the persistent threats posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The motion was prompted by the recent abduction and death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State and later died in captivity.
Yar’Adua also cited previous attacks on serving and retired military officers, including the abduction of retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto in Zamfara State and the killing of retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru after he was abducted in Imo State despite the payment of a ransom.
The Senate warned that the growing pattern of attacks on security personnel poses a serious threat to national security and called for decisive action to bring perpetrators to justice.
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