Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for arrested terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, arguing that those convicted of such crimes should face the full weight of the law.
Gagdi made the remarks during plenary on Tuesday while lawmakers debated a motion urging the Federal Government to scrap the rehabilitation programme for former insurgents.
Speaking during the debate, the lawmaker also argued against the payment of ransom to kidnappers, saying it encourages further criminal activity.
“Payment of ransom is an encouragement for bandits to continue to brutalise Nigerians the way they want. When you don’t pay ransom, and tomorrow you don’t pay ransom, believe me, it will demoralise the bandits from doing what they are doing,” he said.
Gagdi questioned the rationale behind rehabilitating individuals accused of violent crimes, expressing concerns that some could later compromise national security.
“I don’t see any rationale behind rehabilitating a criminal that is killing people. When arrested, you rehabilitate him, and then he becomes an informant in the midst of our own security,” he said.
He further maintained that the government should discontinue programmes aimed at rehabilitating convicted kidnappers, bandits and Boko Haram members.
“Government should not rehabilitate killers. There is no reason whatsoever for kidnappers, bandits or Boko Haram members to be rewarded by being trained and reintegrated into our own security system. The government should stop the rehabilitation of arrested criminals,” he added.
Responding to a question on what punishment should be imposed on convicted insurgents, Gagdi said those found guilty of intentionally taking lives should receive the punishment prescribed by law.
“Anybody that kills deserves to be killed, except if it is a motor accident. Our law is explicit. But if you kill by invading a citizen’s home, kidnapping them, taking them to the bush, subjecting them to terrible torture before taking their lives, they do not deserve one second of survival,” he said.
His comments came as the House considered a motion calling on the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for arrested insurgents, amid growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the country.
The programme, introduced in 2016, was established to deradicalise and reintegrate certain former insurgents who met specified government criteria. It has, however, continued to generate public debate over its effectiveness and its role in Nigeria’s broader counter-insurgency strategy.