Death Penalty Bill for Kidnapping, Hostage Taking Scales Second Reading at Senate
By Ekanem Asuquo
A bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to classify kidnapping, hostage taking and related offences as acts of terrorism has passed its second reading at the Senate.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, prescribes the death penalty as the mandatory punishment for anyone convicted of such crimes. It eliminates the option of fines or lesser sentences.
Bamidele told lawmakers that the amendment aligns with the Senate’s commitment to work with the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the country’s worsening security challenges. He recalled that the Senate had, during a closed-door session three weeks earlier, resolved to design a more comprehensive legal framework to address the rising wave of abductions.
Presenting the bill, the Senate Leader described kidnapping as one of the most pervasive and lucrative criminal activities nationwide. He said it has instilled fear across communities, disrupted livelihoods and forced thousands of schoolchildren out of classrooms.
Under the proposed amendment, kidnapping and hostage taking would be formally designated as terrorist offences under Nigerian law.
During the debate, several senators argued that imposing the death sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to criminal syndicates. They also noted that at the bill’s public hearing, stakeholders stressed the need for strict penalties for financial institutions found facilitating transactions linked to kidnappers.
Some lawmakers further pushed for an end to the practice of granting amnesty to known terrorists, insisting that leniency undermines national security efforts.
The bill has been referred to the joint committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Interior and National Intelligence. The committees are expected to submit their report within two weeks.
