Senate prescribes death penalty for kidnappers
The Senate on Wednesday took a decisive position on Nigeria’s growing insecurity, classifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism and approving the death penalty for anyone convicted — with no option of fines or judicial leniency.
This resolution came after hours of heated debate, following the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. Although all the abducted individuals were later rescued through joint military and intelligence operations, lawmakers said the incident exposed how deeply insurgent networks have penetrated southern communities and rural settlements.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South), opened wide-ranging discussions on mass abductions in schools, churches, communities, and highways across multiple states. Lawmakers warned that frequent kidnappings had led to the shutdown of schools in many local government areas in Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and all Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) highlighted the nation’s manpower deficit in the armed forces, pointing out that Nigeria’s total security personnel falls below one million — significantly lower than Egypt’s 1.5 million. He advocated for urgent recruitment, improved intelligence systems, better equipment, and a reserve force to support overwhelmed troops.
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Other senators expressed concern that banditry was spreading towards Osun State through communities linked to Ekiti, where a retired general and a traditional ruler were recently murdered. They blamed poor road networks for aiding criminal escape routes and directed the Federal Ministry of Works to commence immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road corridor.
Strong arguments dominated the floor as lawmakers insisted that kidnapping had evolved into a full-scale terrorist enterprise and should attract the severest punishment — capital punishment without judicial discretion.
The Senate also called on President Bola Tinubu to restructure and enhance national security coordination, intelligence gathering, and response capacity. The request briefly stirred debate over its interpretation, but the chamber clarified that it sought improved efficiency, not leadership overhaul.
In a move of internal accountability, the Senate dissolved its Committees on National Security and Intelligence as well as Air Force, ordering other security oversight committees to submit reports within one week. Lawmakers further proposed strengthening registered vigilante groups and revising firearms laws to allow responsible, controlled civilian armament.
Earlier, the chamber had adopted a separate motion commending security forces for rescuing abductees in Kwara and Niger, and sought the formation of a Joint Task Force in the Kwara–Kogi corridor, known for bandit movements.
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Debate intensified as senators discussed troop withdrawal reports before recent school abductions in Kebbi. Several lawmakers demanded investigations, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole insisting that whoever ordered the withdrawal should be tried for terrorism — a proposal the Senate approved alongside the death penalty resolution.
Tempers flared more than once, but by the end of the session, lawmakers agreed that Nigeria’s battle against kidnapping and terrorism must enter an uncompromising phase — beginning with capital punishment as the new national response.
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