Senate to meet Tinubu over killings, kidnappings and more

The Senate on Tuesday agreed to meet President Bola Tinubu for an in-depth discussion on the never-ending terrorism, insurgency, kidnappings and banditry across the country.

The resolution came as lawmakers observed that the countermeasures taken by the government to address the prevailing challenges did not appear to be producing the desired results.

A Senate delegation led by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was tasked to sit down with Tinubu for a heart to heart discussion to find urgent solutions.

Senators criticized the federal government’s tendency to pardon repentant terrorists or insurgents through rehabilitation with taxpayer money.

In addition to defenseless citizens being victims of insecurity, the Senate also noted that many security personnel died in the line of duty, rendering their sacrifice in vain when the government ended up pardoning the perpetrators of the violence.

The resolutions were made as the Senate debated a motion condemning the death of a former director of defense information, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Rabe, in the hands of bandits last month.

The motion, put forward by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military, Senator AbdulAzeez Yar’Adua, also lists many serving and retired military officers who have been killed by criminals.

In a further prayer, passed unanimously by the Senate, Senator Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo-Central), called for the suspension of the granting of pardons to repentant terrorists.

“Government should stop pardoning or rehabilitating repentant Boko Haram terrorists,” he said and it was passed unanimously after Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded the motion.

Yar’Adua’s motion lists some of the officers killed or suffered attacks since 2023, noting: “On 1 January 2023, retired Colonel Rabiu Garba Yandoto and his two sons were kidnapped by bandits along the Gusau-Tsafe road in Zamfara State and later released after negotiations.

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

“On June 22, 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, the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, was kidnapped by bandits from his residence in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of ​​Katsina State, and only regained his freedom after spending fifty-six days in captivity.”

It added: “On May 21, 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 later rescued by security forces during a special operation.

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

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi-Central) decried the killing of six policemen in his constituency, stressing that while the families of the dead were living without much support, those who had killed their breadwinners were treated with kid gloves.