Senate Proposes Death Penalty For Kidnapping

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday resolved to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act to classify kidnapping as a terrorist offence and prescribe the death penalty for offenders, without the option of a fine or judicial discretion. The decision followed a voice vote in plenary, with the majority of senators endorsing the proposal.

The resolution was prompted by a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who called on the Senate to mandate its Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to draft an amendment ensuring that kidnapping automatically attracts the death penalty regardless of circumstances.

The motion was seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who emphasized that judges should have no discretion in sentencing and urged state governors to sign death warrants for convicted kidnappers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that once kidnapping is proven in court, the death penalty must follow.

“A very serious additional amendment has been made that the penalty for kidnapping should be changed immediately to carry the maximum punishment of death,” he said.

He further directed the Senate Leader to urgently prepare the amendment to classify kidnapping as terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Currently, Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Act prescribes death for kidnapping only when the victim dies. Offences without fatalities attract other penalties, including life imprisonment, and the law criminalizes ransom payments with a minimum sentence of 15 years.

The Senate’s decision comes amid growing concerns over escalating kidnappings across the country. Recent attacks include the November 18 abduction of 38 church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and the release of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State. Despite interventions by security agencies, many abductors remain at large.

In a broader debate on national security, senators highlighted worsening insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and neighboring states.

They pointed to attacks on schools, worship centres, and entire communities, citing compromised intelligence channels, internal collaborators, and the strategic use of forest corridors by bandits as enabling factors.

Senators also expressed concern over Nigeria’s inadequate security personnel, urging modernized equipment, improved intelligence coordination, and activation of a military reserve force.

The chamber approved several measures, including: strengthening registered vigilante groups, reviewing firearms laws to allow controlled citizen arming, establishing Joint Task Forces along high-risk corridors, and expanding aerial surveillance and inter-state operations.

The Senate further endorsed diplomatic engagements with the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and other allies for intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and advanced surveillance technology. Lawmakers also mandated humanitarian relief for affected families.

While most senators backed the motion, Bayelsa West Senator Henry Seriake Dickson cautioned against commending President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the government should be told the unvarnished truth about the country’s deteriorating security situation.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed insisted that the state remains one of the safest in the North East, describing recent incidents in Darazo as community disputes rather than banditry.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also weighed in, warning that the federal government cannot effectively combat insurgency by negotiating with kidnappers.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Balaji Abdullahi criticized conflicting government statements regarding the release of abducted victims and urged accountability.

The Senate’s resolutions underscore the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis, framing it as a national security threat that demands decisive legal and operational action.