Insecurity: Nigerian lawmakers begin process of imposing death penalty for kidnappers, bill passes first reading

A bill seeking to amend Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Act to prescribe a death penalty without the option of a fine, for all kidnapping offences, has passed first reading in the Senate.

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The bill, titled “Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB.969),” was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).

It was introduced in the upper chamber on Thursday and scheduled for second reading.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the first reading of the bill after a majority of lawmakers supported it through a voice vote during plenary.

The introduction of the amendment marks the first stage of Nigeria’s legislative process.

Every bill, whether executive or privately sponsored, must undergo first reading before being scheduled for second reading, during which lawmakers debate its general principles. It is then referred to a relevant committee for public hearing and later returns for third reading, where it may be passed or rejected.

If passed, it’ll be transmitted to the other chamber for concurrence before sending it to the presidency for assent.

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During Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate resolved to amend the country’s terrorism law to classify kidnapping as terrorism and make it punishable by death, eliminating both the option of a fine and judicial discretion.

During the session, the senate president directed Mr Bamidele to urgently prepare the amendment. Its presentation less than 24 hours later signals parliament’s readiness to make the death penalty a statutory punishment for kidnapping.

Kidnapping and ransom-taking have become increasingly rampant across the country, with terrorist groups turning the crime into a lucrative enterprise.

Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Act prescribes a death penalty for kidnapping when the offence results in the death of a victim. Where no death occurs, other penalties apply depending on the circumstances, including life imprisonment for offences such as hostage-taking and kidnapping.

The Act also criminalises the payment of ransom, prescribing a minimum sentence of 15 years for anyone who pays ransom to secure a victim’s release.

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However, despite the frequency of attacks, many kidnapping cases end with the release of victims but without any arrests.

For instance, the 25 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, were freed on Tuesday after security intervention, but none of the abductors were apprehended.

Also, 38 worshippers of a church in Eruku, Kwara State, were rescued last Sunday, but none of their abductors were arrested.