The Senate, on Wednesday, took a major step toward redefining Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, debating a far-reaching amendment that would classify kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism and impose the death penalty on all those involved — from perpetrators to financiers and informants.
The amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, led by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, drew rare unanimity on the Senate floor as lawmakers expressed frustration over the scale, cruelty and sophistication of kidnapping networks across the country.
Presiding, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Committees on Judiciary, National Security and Interior, with a two-week deadline to return recommendations.
Bamidele, while presenting the bill, described kidnapping as a national emergency that has evolved into a highly organised criminal enterprise. What began years ago as isolated attacks, he said, has matured into militarised operations that now resemble terrorism in structure, brutality and impact.
He listed the consequences: mass fear in communities, disruption of farming and schooling, bankruptcy of families forced to pay ransom, overstretched security forces and the steady flow of ransom funds into arms procurement.
“These patterns of violence, coordination and destabilisation are indistinguishable from terrorism. Our laws must match the scale of danger,” he argued.
Under the proposed amendment, anyone who kidnaps, funds kidnapping, provides information, hides offenders, transports victims, supplies logistics or knowingly supports kidnapping operations would face the death penalty. Even attempts, conspiracy and incitement carry the same punishment. Bamidele said this was necessary to dismantle the “ecosystem” that makes kidnapping profitable.
He emphasised that the bill targets violent offenders, not innocent communities, and would still operate within constitutional guarantees of fair trial and due process.
Senators across political lines strongly endorsed the bill. Adams Oshiomhole criticised deradicalisation programmes, saying they had failed to deter released offenders. “If you are convicted of terrorism, the penalty should be death. No more deradicalisation,” he said.
Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, backed the bill, noting that Nigerians had endured horrific violations — from rape to mass killings — and could no longer live under constant fear. Minority Leader Abba Moro called the amendment “straightforward and necessary,” saying the Senate must respond to the scale of the national tragedy.
Senator Victor Umeh urged a crackdown on all facilitators, including financial institutions that unknowingly or knowingly enable ransom payments.