In a dramatic move to combat the raging wave of abductions across Nigeria, the Senate has resolved to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to officially classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism and impose the death penalty upon conviction.
The resolution was unanimously adopted during Wednesday’s plenary session following a motion sponsored by senators from the worst-hit regions.
Under the proposed amendment, once a person is convicted of kidnapping, the maximum punishment – death – will be mandatory, with no option for lighter sentencing or fines.
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The upper chamber’s decision comes amid a terrifying surge in mass abductions, particularly of schoolchildren, worshippers, and rural villagers by heavily armed gunmen demanding multimillion-naira ransoms.
Just on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered a total military and security cordon around all forests in Kwara State after gunmen abducted 11 people from the Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area – barely two weeks after 38 worshippers were seized from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, same state.
In Niger State, terrorists stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri last week, carting away over 300 pupils and staff. Authorities say at least 50 victims managed to escape, but 265 children and teachers remain in captivity.
In the same week, 24 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State. The girls regained their freedom on Tuesday under circumstances that have not been made public.
While senators insist the death penalty will serve as the ultimate deterrent, many Nigerians remain sceptical, pointing to decades of poor implementation of existing laws, widespread corruption in the security and judicial systems, and the failure to rescue hundreds of victims still held by bandits.
If eventually passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Tinubu, the amended Terrorism Act will make Nigeria one of the few countries in the world to prescribe capital punishment for kidnapping.
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