Senate moves to classify kidnapping as terrorism with death penalty

The Senate has moved a step closer to outlawing kidnapping as an act of terrorism after a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act scaled second reading on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, proposes the death penalty without the option of a fine or alternative sentence for anyone convicted of kidnapping, hostage-taking or related crimes.

Bamidele said the legislation aligns with the Senate’s recent resolve to work with the Federal Government to tackle rising insecurity, adding that lawmakers had agreed during a closed-door session three weeks ago to introduce a tougher legal framework to confront the growing scourge. He described kidnapping as one of the most pervasive and commercialised criminal operations in the country, instilling fear in communities and disrupting schooling for children.

The amendment seeks to formally designate kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism under Nigerian law. Lawmakers insist the proposed death sentence is aimed at deterring offenders and curbing the booming kidnap-for-ransom industry. During debate on the bill, some senators also pushed for sanctions against financial institutions found to be aiding transactions linked to kidnappers, while others urged an end to the practice of granting amnesty to terrorists.

The bill has been referred to the joint committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Interior and National Intelligence, with a report expected in two weeks.