The Senate has rejected any plan to rehabilitate former Boko Haram fighters, insisting that terrorists should face justice rather than be reintegrated into society.
The position came as the military announced the surrender of two Boko Haram commanders to troops of the North-East Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in the Yunusari-Geidam axis of Yobe State.
In a statement, Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the surrender marked another significant breakthrough in the military’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
According to him, the two commanders, identified as Munzirs within the group’s leadership structure, surrendered to troops of Sector 2 in Geidam on 4 July 2026.
Goni said the suspects arrived in Maiduguri at about 7:30 p.m. on 5 July 2026 and are currently in military custody, where they are undergoing profiling, debriefing and intelligence exploitation.
Meanwhile, the Senate adopted a hardline stance against the rehabilitation of terrorists during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central) on the rising attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.
The motion was prompted by the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major-General Rabiu Abubakar (retd.), who reportedly died in captivity after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.
Although the Senate unanimously adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering, deploying modern security technology and supporting the families of victims, debate on the motion shifted to calls for tougher measures against terrorists.
Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central), in an additional prayer, opposed the rehabilitation of convicted terrorists, a position strongly backed by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole argued that rehabilitating and reintegrating terrorists amounted to rewarding criminality while victims and their families continued to suffer.
“It does not make even common sense to grant pardon, rehabilitate and integrate criminals into society,” he said.
He maintained that those responsible for killings, abductions and the destruction of communities should face the full weight of the law rather than benefit from government-sponsored rehabilitation programmes.
Earlier, Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), while seconding the motion, said the original prayers did not go far enough, arguing that Nigerians expected concrete security outcomes rather than routine resolutions.
Referring to the death of Major-General Abubakar, Izunaso said reports surrounding the circumstances of the retired officer’s killing had raised serious concerns.
“There have been stories that some people know those who were involved,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also proposed direct engagement with the Presidency, urging that a delegation of Senate leaders meet President Bola Tinubu to formally present lawmakers’ concerns over the deteriorating security situation across the country.
At the end of the debate, senators observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Major-General Abubakar and other Nigerians killed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
The Senate also commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices and renewed its call for stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance, improved early warning systems and closer inter-agency collaboration to address the country’s security challenges.
