Senate Reaffirms Push for Death Penalty in Kidnapping Cases, Targets Perpetrators, Financiers, and Informants

The Senate on Wednesday revisited amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act as it ramps up efforts to curb insecurity nationwide. Lawmakers strongly backed proposals prescribing the death penalty for kidnappers and anyone who knowingly aids, funds, or supports kidnapping operations.

The upper chamber also unanimously endorsed measures empowering security agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks and classify the crime as terrorism across the country.

The debate, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, featured contributions from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Minority Leader Abba Moro, and several others.

After extensive deliberations across party lines, Senate President Godswill Akpabio approved the amendments and referred the bill to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior for further scrutiny. The lead committee is expected to report back within two weeks.

Kidnapping to Be Classified as Terrorism

Presenting the objectives of the amendment, Bamidele said the bill seeks to formally categorise kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related crimes as acts of terrorism and impose the death penalty without the option of fines.

He warned that kidnapping has evolved into “coordinated, commercialised, and militarised acts of violence” perpetrated by organised groups, affecting communities across all regions.

According to him, the pattern of devastation linked to kidnapping now bears “all the characteristics of terrorism,” calling for a legal framework that reflects the scale of the threat.

He explained that reclassification under the terrorism framework will grant security agencies broader intelligence, operational, and prosecutorial powers. The bill also extends the death penalty to financiers, informants, logistics suppliers, harbourers, and anyone who knowingly supports such crimes. Attempts, conspiracy, or incitement to kidnap would attract the same punishment.

Senators Back Tougher Measures

Oshiomhole supported the amendment, criticising deradicalisation programmes that he said have failed to prevent repeat offences. “Some of these guys went back to their crimes. We should not continue with deradicalisation,” he argued.

Kalu emphasised the widespread suffering caused by kidnappers, saying all those involved — including sponsors and informants — must face consequences. “Nigerians have suffered at the hands of kidnappers… This must not continue again,” he said.

Minority Leader Moro described the bill as a unanimous decision of the Senate, noting that kidnapping has grown into a business enterprise and that stiffer penalties are now necessary.

Senator Victor Umeh condemned the rising incidence of kidnapping and urged support for the amendment. He stressed the need to “dig into the people who facilitate this criminal enterprise,” including financial institutions.

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