The Senate on Tuesday condemned the rising wave of attacks, abductions and killings targeting serving and retired military personnel across Nigeria, calling for urgent security reforms and warning against the recruitment of repentant terrorists into the nation’s armed forces.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa-Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), who decried the country’s worsening security crisis, citing the recent killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar as a stark reminder of the growing threat.
Presenting the motion, Musa-Yar’Adua described Nigeria’s security challenges as increasingly complex and persistent, fuelled by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks that continue to claim lives and destroy communities.
He said criminal groups had become more daring and sophisticated, extending their attacks beyond civilians to deliberately target serving and retired military officers.
According to him, the killing of Abubakar and other security personnel reflects the country’s deteriorating security landscape and demands urgent national action.
The lawmaker noted that retired military officers remain prime targets because of their previous operational, intelligence and command responsibilities, making them vulnerable to terrorists and kidnappers.
He warned that the sustained attacks on military personnel were weakening troop morale while emboldening criminal groups challenging the authority of the Nigerian state.
Musa-Yar’Adua cited several cases of abductions and killings involving retired senior military officers across Zamfara, Imo, the Federal Capital Territory, Katsina, Kogi and Plateau states.
“The death of Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar and others in terrorists’ custody represents not only a personal tragedy but a painful national loss that demands urgent action,” he said.
Supporting the motion, Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) described the recurring attacks on military personnel as disturbing and unacceptable, saying the growing list of abducted and murdered officers underscored the severity of Nigeria’s security crisis.
“This motion has come at the right time when Nigerians expect the nation’s defense and security architecture to decisively confront the growing insecurity,” he said.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) called for stronger legislative oversight of security institutions, urging the National Assembly to scrutinize casualty records, operational responses and welfare support for families of fallen security personnel.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, acknowledged the concerns raised by lawmakers but urged Nigerians to recognize the efforts of the country’s security forces.
He noted that terrorism remains a global challenge affecting many countries, particularly within the West African sub-region, and requires coordinated regional responses.
“Our men and women in uniform are doing their best. They have been successful in decimating many criminal elements and deserve our continued support,” Barau said.
The Senate subsequently adopted resolutions directing security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, intelligence sharing and early warning systems to combat terrorists and bandits.
Lawmakers also called for closer collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local communities to enhance intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
In addition, the Senate mandated security agencies to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killing of the retired general.
The lawmakers further cautioned against integrating repentant terrorists into the armed forces or any other security agency and resolved that the Senate leadership should meet President Bola Tinubu to express its concerns over the country’s worsening security situation.
The Senate concluded its session with a minute’s silence in honor of Major General Abubakar and other Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
