The Senate has advanced amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, broadening the death penalty to encompass all individuals involved in kidnapping, including perpetrators, financiers, informants, and others who facilitate these crimes.
Sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill aims to classify kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism, empowering security agencies with enhanced investigative capabilities to track illicit financial flows and disrupt criminal networks. During a plenary session led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the amendment garnered strong bipartisan support as part of a comprehensive strategy to address Nigeria’s escalating kidnapping crisis.
Bamidele emphasized that kidnapping has evolved into a highly organized and violent enterprise, comparable to terrorism. He highlighted the detrimental effects on families and communities, asserting that the amendment is directed solely at violent offenders and their networks, with protections for innocent individuals.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Committee on Interior, supported the bill but criticized the effectiveness of the country’s de-radicalization efforts. He argued for the death penalty for convicted terrorists, citing religious texts to support his stance.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu echoed concerns about the long-term suffering inflicted by kidnappers, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability among those facilitating these crimes. Senator Victor Umeh also raised alarms over the financial institutions involved in ransom transactions, calling for their scrutiny and potential sanctions against complicity.
Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro affirmed the necessity of the amendment to restore security, insisting that kidnappers must face capital punishment. Bamidele concluded by stating that the amendments would enhance the capabilities of security agencies to combat kidnapping effectively, marking a determined response to a grave threat against the Nigerian populace.