Senator Adams Oshiomhole has joined fellow lawmakers in calling for the suspension of the Federal Government’s terrorist rehabilitation and reintegration programme, arguing that it is unreasonable to pardon and rehabilitate individuals involved in criminal activities.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole criticised the initiative, insisting that it does not reflect common sense to grant amnesty and reintegrate criminals into society.
“It does not make even common sense to grant pardon and rehabilitate and reintegrate criminals,” the former Edo State governor said.
The rehabilitation programme, launched in 2016 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to deradicalise “low-risk” defectors from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Participants undergo psychological counselling, religious reorientation and vocational training before being reintegrated into their communities.
According to available government figures, more than 2,600 former insurgents have graduated from the rehabilitation facility located in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State.
The Senate’s renewed criticism of the programme comes amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity across the country.
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Abba Moro called for an urgent meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu to address the nation’s security challenges.
“There is an urgent need for the leadership of this Senate to meet with Mr President and re-emphasise the concerns of Nigerians. Otherwise, quite frankly… it’s becoming… and in an election year? Anything can happen to anybody,” Moro said.
Following deliberations, the Senate adopted a motion calling for the arrest and prosecution of criminals, while urging the Federal Government to review its approach to tackling insecurity.
The lawmakers maintained that strengthening law enforcement and ensuring accountability should remain central to efforts aimed at restoring peace and security across the country.