Nigeria’s Senate has moved to impose the death penalty on anyone convicted of kidnapping, endorsing a proposal that categorises abductions as acts of terrorism under national law. The decision, taken during Wednesday’s plenary, reflects growing alarm over the surge in kidnapping cases across the country.
Lawmakers agreed that the Terrorism Act should be amended to ensure kidnapping carries the most severe punishment available. Once the law is updated, conviction for the offence would automatically result in a death sentence, senators said, describing the measure as a necessary deterrent.
During the session, the Senate noted that rampant abductions have fuelled fear, economic disruption and widespread insecurity. The chamber said treating kidnapping as terrorism aligns with the gravity of the crime and its destabilising effects on communities.
A brief statement issued after the resolution stressed that “upon conviction for kidnapping, the death penalty must be enforced,” signalling the upper chamber’s hardening stance as Nigeria battles criminal networks across several states.
Supporters of the proposal insisted that only the toughest penalties can curb kidnapping, which has become one of the country’s most persistent and violent crimes. They argued that the rising frequency of mass abductions demands decisive legislative intervention.
Several senators also warned that lenient punishments have emboldened criminal groups, calling for a legal overhaul to reinforce public confidence in the justice system. The proposed amendment, they said, is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security.
Further legislative work is expected as committees refine the amendment and prepare it for full debate, with more details anticipated in the days ahead.
