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Senate demands end to Boko Haram rehabilitation program
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the rehabilitation and reintegration programme for Boko Haram members, insisting that terrorists should be arrested and prosecuted instead of being reintegrated into society.
The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary after a [b]motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adu[/b]a, who expressed concern over the rising attacks, kidnappings and killings of serving and retired military personnel across the country.
The Senate noted that the continued targeting of security officers, including senior retired military officers, represents a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security and the authority of the state.
Lawmakers also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute terrorists and other violent criminals responsible for the wave of insecurity affecting many parts of the country.
In addition, the Senate instructed its committees overseeing defence and national security to strengthen their oversight of security agencies and ensure that Nigeria’s security chiefs are held accountable for improving the country’s security situation.
As part of its resolutions, the upper legislative chamber agreed that a delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio should meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the worsening security crisis and possible solutions.
During the debate, Senator Yar’Adua cited several high profile cases involving the abduction and killing of serving and retired military officers, including retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, retired Major General Richard Duru, retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere, former NYSC Director General Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd), and other victims who were kidnapped or killed despite ransom payments in some cases.
The Senate argued that the increasing attacks on military personnel, especially those with operational and intelligence experience, indicate a dangerous shift in the tactics of terrorist groups and other criminal elements.
The latest resolution is expected to reignite national debate over Nigeria’s controversial rehabilitation and reintegration policy for repentant Boko Haram members, with many Nigerians divided over whether the programme promotes peace or undermines justice for victims of terrorism.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reacted to reports of the rejection of the standard #100 banknote by some members of the public, businesses, and other stakeholders, apparently due to doubts about its continued legal tender status.
In a statement on Wednesday, the CBN reiterated that both the commemorative #100 banknote and the standard #100 banknote remain legal tender in Nigeria and must be accepted for all transactions nationwide.
It said the commemorative #100 banknote, which was introduced to mark Nigeria’s centenary, did not replace the existing standard #100 banknote.
“The CBN strongly cautions individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and other economic agents against rejecting the standard #100 banknote. Such rejection constitutes a violation of the provisions of the CBN Act and undermines confidence in the national currency. The Bank will not hesitate to apply appropriate enforcement measures against any person or entity found to be in breach.
“The Bank remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the Naira, ensuring confidence in all duly issued banknotes, and promoting smooth currency circulation across the country.
“Accordingly, members of the public are urged to accept and transact with all banknotes legally issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“For further clarification, members of the public are also advised to contact the CBN through its official communication channels,” the apex bank said.
The Federal Government has suspended the enforcement of new regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the completion of a national policy review.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani, on Tuesday, after a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Tijjani said the decision aimed to maintain the current regulatory position while work continues on a harmonised national policy and governance framework for the digital economy.
He explained that the rapid growth of the digital economy has created overlaps in the responsibilities of sector regulators, making closer coordination necessary to provide legal certainty and support investment, innovation and consumer confidence.
As part of the directive, agencies have been asked to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues that are under policy harmonisation.
Tijani said: “The existing regulatory status quo shall be maintained with respect to matters relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination.
“Relevant agencies are to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to Internet platforms, online intermediaries or other cross-cutting digital economy matters, to the extent that such provisions concern areas currently undergoing policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination.
“The above direction is without prejudice to the statutory responsibilities of the respective institutions. Accordingly, all other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the express mandates of the relevant agencies under extant laws shall remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued by the Minister.” The minister also announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the Office of the Minister.
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