The Senate has advanced a proposed amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, pushing the bill to its second reading as lawmakers intensify efforts to confront Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, aims to formally categorize kidnapping, hostage-taking, and similar offenses as acts of terrorism, while introducing the death penalty as the mandatory punishment, with no possibility of a fine or alternative sentencing.
Bamidele explained that the proposal reflects the Senate’s broader resolve to collaborate with the Federal Government in finding sustainable measures to combat violent crimes. He reminded lawmakers that just three weeks earlier, during a closed-door session, the Senate had agreed to establish a stronger legal framework addressing what has become one of the country’s most pervasive threats.
While presenting the amendment, the Senate Leader emphasized that kidnapping has evolved into an aggressively monetized criminal enterprise carried out by organized groups who prey on vulnerable communities. He described the practice as one that has deeply traumatized citizens, destabilized local economies, and severely hampered schooling, particularly in regions routinely targeted by armed gangs.
The amendment seeks to ensure that kidnapping and hostage-taking are not only treated with heightened seriousness but also legally recognized among the gravest offenses under national security laws. Supporters of the bill insist that introducing capital punishment is intended to create a powerful deterrent capable of reducing the surge in abductions.
During discussions, lawmakers also stressed the need for financial institutions to face penalties if found enabling transactions connected to kidnappers. Some senators argued that the country must discontinue any policy of granting amnesty to individuals or groups publicly identified as terrorists, warning that such gestures could unintentionally embolden criminal networks.
The bill has been assigned to the Senate’s joint committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Interior, and National Intelligence, with instructions to return their findings within two weeks.
What You Should Know
The Senate’s renewed push to treat kidnapping as an act of terrorism marks a major shift in Nigeria’s legislative approach to combating insecurity.
By proposing a mandatory death sentence, lawmakers are signaling a tougher stance in response to rising abductions nationwide. The bill also calls for closer scrutiny of financial institutions and questions the wisdom of offering amnesty to violent groups.
Once reviewed by the joint committees, the amendment could significantly reshape how the justice system addresses one of the most destabilizing crimes affecting communities, children, and economic activities across the country.
