Nigeria’s National Assembly on Wednesday intensified pressure on the Federal Government to publicly name and prosecute financiers of terrorism, as legislators moved to redefine kidnapping as an act of terrorism punishable by death.
At separate plenary sessions, both the Senate and the House of Representatives insisted that exposing individuals and institutions funding violent groups had become critical to tackling the worsening abduction crisis nationwide.
The Senate went further, endorsing an amendment to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act that seeks to categorise kidnapping, hostage-taking and related crimes as terrorism. The proposed law, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, prescribes capital punishment not only for kidnappers but also for their informants, sponsors and logistical supporters.
Bamidele, while leading debate on the bill, warned that kidnapping in Nigeria had evolved into a “commercialised and militarised enterprise” run by organised criminal syndicates.
“Kidnapping has disrupted economic activities, forced families into debt, interrupted schooling and claimed countless innocent lives. It now bears all the hallmarks of terrorism,” he said.
Under the amendment, attempts, conspiracy, or incitement to kidnap would attract the same penalty, while security agencies would be granted expanded intelligence and operational powers to track and dismantle criminal networks.
The proposal sparked vigorous contributions from senators including Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro and Victor Umeh, with many backing the push to strengthen punitive measures.
Oshiomhole dismissed deradicalisation programmes for terror suspects, arguing that many return to crime.
“No more deradicalisation. Anyone convicted of terrorism should face the death penalty,” he declared.
Kalu said informants and sponsors must not be spared:
“Nigerians have suffered enough. Families have been shattered, women widowed and young girls violated. This cannot continue.”
Minority Leader Moro described the bill as a “unanimous position” of the Senate aimed at deterring kidnappers through the threat of capital punishment.
Umeh raised concern over banks and financial operators believed to be aiding ransom transactions, stressing that they must also be scrutinised.
After extended debate, the Senate passed the amendment for further legislative work and referred it to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior, with a directive to report back within two weeks.
