In a dramatic and decisive legislative move to combat Nigeria’s spiraling insecurity crisis, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution declaring kidnapping an act of terrorism and mandating an amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act to impose the death penalty on all convicted kidnappers.
The resolution, which now proceeds to an official Bill for legal drafting and consideration, comes amidst national outrage over a recent wave of mass abductions, including the kidnapping of over 300 schoolchildren and teachers in Niger State and the deadly attack on worshippers in Kwara State.
The motion, sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), cited the persistent attacks, noting that the traditional punishment for kidnapping has proven ineffective in deterring criminal gangs who now operate with military-grade efficiency and impunity.
The proposed amendment is designed to directly classify the act of “kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and all associated violent crimes that cause widespread fear and socio-economic disruption” as acts of terrorism. The key legislative directive is the automatic application of the maximum penalty death upon conviction, effectively elevating the crime from a high-level felony to a capital terrorism offense.
This move marks a significant legislative shift, uniting lawmakers who argue that the sheer scale, organization, and devastating impact of kidnapping on national stability and human life warrants the harshest possible judicial response. The Senate also called for an urgent review of firearm laws to potentially allow vetted citizens to own guns for community self-defence, a radical suggestion underscoring the severity of the security collapse.
