The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution classifying kidnapping as a form of terrorism, with lawmakers calling for an amendment to the Terrorism Act to apply the strictest penalty to offenders.
The resolution follows rising public alarm over abductions across the country and increasing pressure for stronger law-based deterrents.
At Wednesday’s plenary, senators collectively agreed that once the legal revisions are effected, any person convicted of kidnapping should automatically face the death penalty.
The Senate released a firm position in support of the proposed amendment.
“The resolution mandates that, upon conviction for kidnapping, the death penalty must be enforced,” the Senate stated.
Lawmakers stressed that categorising the crime under terrorism laws would remove ambiguities in prosecution and intensify punishment once the act is revised.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Senate’s stand comes amidst rising kidnapping and killing across the country.
Just recently, bandits abducted 38 churchgoers in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. At the same time, at least 10 residents were kidnapped on Monday evening in Isapa, a neighbouring community within the same council area.
In Kebbi State, 24 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State and in Niger State, over two hundred students were also kidnapped.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]