Senate to meet Tinubu over killings, kidnappings, others

The Senate Tuesday resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu for a thorough discussion on unending terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry across the country.

The resolution came as lawmakers observed that counter-steps being taken by government to tackle prevailing challenges didn’t seem to be producing the desired results.

A delegation from the Senate to be led by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was mandated to sit with Tinubu for a heart-to-heart discussion to find urgent solutions.

Senators faulted a trend by the Federal Government in granting pardon to repentant terrorists or insurgents through rehabilitation with taxpayers’ money.

Apart from defenceless citizens who had been victims of insecurity, the Senate also noted that many security personnel had died in the line of duty, making their sacrifice to be in vain when the government ended up granting pardon to the perpetrators violence.

The resolutions were taken as the Senate debated a motion condemning the death of a former Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Rabe, in the hands of bandits last month.

The motion, which was moved by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator AbdulAzeez Yar’Adua, also listed many serving and retired military officers who had been killed by criminals.

Moving an additional prayer, unanimously endorsed by the Senate, Senator Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo-Central), called for the halting of granting pardon to repentant terrorists.

“The goveenment should stop granting pardon or rehabilitating repentant Boko Haram terrorists”, he moved and was unanimously passed after Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded the motion.

Yar’Adua’s motion catalogued some of the officers either killed or suffered attacks since 2023, noting, “On 1 January 2023, retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau–Tsafe Road in Zamfara State and were later released following negotiations.

“On 27 September 2023, retired Major General Richard Chukwudi Duru was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State and was subsequently killed by his abductors despite his family paying a $50,000 ransom.

“On 22 June 2024, retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere was brutally murdered by intruders who invaded his residence at Sunshine Homes Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja.

“On 5 February 2025, former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, was abducted by bandits at his residence in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State and regained his freedom only after spending fifty six days in captivity.”

It added, “On 21 May 2025, retired Major Joe Ajayi was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kogi State and subsequently died while in captivity despite efforts to secure his release.

“In January 2026, retired Colonel Joseph Ajanaku was abducted from his residence in Plateau State and was later rescued by security forces during a special operation.

“On 30 May 2026, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State while travelling with his wife and subsequently died in captivity.”

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi-Central) reported the killing of six policemen in his constituency, staring that while the families of the dead lived without much support, those who killed their breadwinners were being treated with kidgloves.