Senate Backs Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Sponsors, Informants

The Senate, on Wednesday, moved to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws by proposing death penalty for kidnappers, as well as anyone who finances, facilitates, or provides information to them, as lawmakers debated amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The proposal, spearheaded by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to formally categorise kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related crimes as acts of terrorism. This classification would grant security agencies expanded powers to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute criminal networks nationwide.

Wednesday’s plenary featured active contributions from lawmakers, including Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Minority Leader Abba Moro, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over the session.

After hours of discussion, the Senate approved the amendment bill for further legislative scrutiny and referred it to its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters (lead committee), National Security and Intelligence, and Interior, which are expected to report back within two weeks.

Leading the debate, Bamidele emphasised the bill’s intent. “The purpose is to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as acts of terrorism and prescribe the death penalty for such offences without option of fine or alternative sentence.”

He noted that kidnapping in Nigeria has “evolved into coordinated, commercialised and militarised acts of violence perpetrated by organised criminal groups,” adding that the crime has instilled fear in communities, disrupted economic activities, interrupted education, bankrupted families, stretched security forces, and claimed countless lives.

Bamidele further argued that the brutality associated with kidnapping “now carry[s] all the characteristics of terrorism,” justifying its treatment under the counter-terrorism framework. He said the bill would equip security agencies with “broader operational authority, intelligence capabilities, and prosecutorial tools” to pursue both kidnappers and their enablers.

He stressed that the death penalty would not only target kidnappers but also “their informants, logistics providers, harbourers, transporters, and anyone who knowingly assists, facilitates, or supports kidnapping operations,” including those involved in “attempt, conspiracy or incitement to kidnap.”

“Nigerians are kidnapped on highways, in schools, in homes, on farms and in markets,” he stated. “This is not a mere crime. It is terrorism in its purest form.”

Supporting the amendment, Oshiomhole criticized deradicalisation programmes for terror suspects, insisting that many return to criminal activities. “We should not continue with deradicalisation programmes again,” he said. “No more de-radicalisation. If you are caught and convicted for acts of terrorism, then the penalty should be death.”

Kalu also voiced his support, stressing that sponsors and informants of kidnappers must “face the consequence.” “Nigerians have suffered at the hands of kidnappers. Young girls have been raped. Women have become widows for no reason. This must not continue again,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Moro described the bill as “a unanimous decision of the Senate,” noting that capital punishment is necessary “with the hope that kidnappers will face the penalty.”

Senator Victor Umeh also condemned the growing trend of abductions and killings of victims, even after ransom payments. He urged scrutiny of financial institutions that may facilitate such crimes.

Last week, the Senate adopted a similarly strict stance following the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. While all victims were later rescued, lawmakers said the attack highlighted the expansion of insurgent activities into the South and worsening insecurity in rural areas.

The debate was prompted by a motion from Senator Yisa Ashiru, titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks.”

Lawmakers also expressed concern over the surge in school abductions, which have forced closures in parts of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

This latest legislative effort reflects the Senate’s determination to adopt a tougher stance against kidnapping, as the menace continues to devastate communities across Nigeria.