Our Staff
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and senator for Edo Central, Senator Joseph Ikpea, has rejected the federal government’s programme for rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant Boko Haram members. He said anyone found guilty of terrorism should face the full weight of the law instead of being returned to civilian life.
Ikpea spoke with journalists on Wednesday after the committee’s first meeting at the National Assembly. He described the reintegration policy as “unreasonable” and said it diminishes the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians who have suffered from insurgency. 
According to him, people who carried out attacks that killed innocent Nigerians and members of the armed forces should not be given a path back into society through rehabilitation. He argued that justice must come first.
“I don’t understand the rationale behind reintegrating Boko Haram members into society,” Ikpea said. “Our gallant soldiers have lost their lives protecting the country from these terrorists. If someone has committed acts of terrorism and is apprehended, such a person should face the consequences of the law.”
The senator said Boko Haram and similar groups are enemies of all Nigerians. He noted that their attacks do not distinguish between religion or ethnicity, and that Christians, Muslims, civilians and security agents have all been targeted.
Ikpea also raised concerns about recent kidnappings in parts of the country. He suggested some of the incidents may have political undertones, and that certain actors could be using insecurity to destabilize the government ahead of future elections.
On drug policy, the committee chairman said the Senate panel will review the bill proposing the death penalty for drug-related offences. He added that the review will be thorough before any recommendation is made.
Ikpea explained that he was not in the Senate when the bill was first debated, so he could not speak to its current status. “I have no idea about that bill because I was not a senator when it came up on the floor. My committee will look at it and advise accordingly. For now, I cannot say much about it,” he said.
The committee’s immediate priorities, he said, include stronger oversight of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and visits to rehabilitation centres nationwide. The goal, he stated, is to confirm that the centres meet approved standards and are providing proper care. “You cannot just establish a rehabilitation centre without complying with the necessary regulations. We want to ensure they are operating properly and delivering quality services,” he said.
Speaking on punishment for drug trafficking, Ikpea avoided taking a firm position on capital punishment. He said penalties should match the severity of the offence, and that the final decision will rest with the National Assembly and the Federal Government. He also warned about rising drug abuse among youths, citing estimates of about 14 million Nigerians affected. To address it, he proposed introducing drug education into primary and secondary school curricula so children learn the risks early.
