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Senate passes landmark bill imposing life imprisonment for child defilement, tougher penalties for rape

By Maryam Umar
Estimated reading time: 1 minutes
Senate holds security summit on North-Central killings The Nigerian Senate on Thursday convened a high-level security summit in Jos, Plateau State, as part of efforts to address the persistent killings and violent attacks ravaging communities across the North-Central region. The summit, attended by senators, state governors, security chiefs, traditional rulers and community leaders, focused on finding lasting solutions to the recurring crises that have resulted in massive loss of lives and displacement. In his remarks, the President of the Senate said the upper chamber could no longer ignore the alarming state of insecurity in the region. He stressed that the summit was convened to gather practical recommendations that would inform new legislative actions and strengthen government interventions. Stakeholders at the event raised deep concerns over the scale of destruction witnessed in recent years. Officials from Plateau State noted that hundreds of communities had been attacked, with thousands of residents killed and many more displaced from their ancestral homes. Speakers described the pattern of violence as coordinated and multi-layered, involving criminal elements exploiting political, economic, ethnic and religious tensions. They called for stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained military operations to dismantle armed groups operating in rural areas. The Senate leadership emphasized that the goal of the summit was not merely to issue statements of sympathy but to develop actionable measures that will restore peace to affected states. Lawmakers pledged to follow up with concrete legislative steps aimed at strengthening security institutions, enhancing community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, and addressing root causes of the prolonged violence. The summit is expected to produce a comprehensive report that will guide the Senate in formulating policies and interventions targeted at ending the killings and rebuilding confidence among residents of the North-Central region.

Senate passes landmark bill imposing life imprisonment for child defilement, tougher penalties for rape

The Nigerian Senate has approved the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor. The legislation marks a significant shift from the previous five-year sentence, signalling the country’s firm stance against sexual violence and child abuse.

Under the newly passed law, offenders found guilty of rape or sexual assault will now face a minimum of ten years in prison, doubling the earlier penalty. The Senate also broadened the definition of victims to include both males and females — a change proposed by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who emphasized that “rape can happen to anyone, regardless of gender.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the bill as a landmark victory in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, declaring that “the law will no longer be lenient on predators.” He added that the legislation demonstrates Nigeria’s renewed commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens.

READ ALSO: Senate passes bill imposing 10-year passport ban on Nigerians convicted abroad

However, debate intensified over clauses relating to abortion and medical emergencies. Senator Abdul Ningi cautioned that ambiguous language could endanger doctors performing life-saving procedures. In response, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to review and clarify the section within two weeks.

The bill, which had earlier been approved by the House of Representatives, now awaits harmonisation before being transmitted to the President for assent. Once enacted, it will become one of Nigeria’s strongest legal frameworks for combating sexual violence and safeguarding minors nationwide.

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