The Nigerian Senate has passed the second reading of a bill seeking to classify all forms of kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism and to impose the death penalty for such offences without the option of fines or alternative sentences.
The proposed legislation was debated during Wednesday’s plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Lawmakers described the bill as a necessary response to the escalating wave of abductions across the country.
Sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill aims to amend the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act to expand the scope of terrorism-related crimes and introduce harsher penalties for kidnapping, regardless of whether a victim dies.
Speaking on the urgency of the matter, Akpabio said the bill must move swiftly through the legislative process.
“It’s something we fast-track to go for public hearing and thereafter concurrence,” he said. “Everything you are saying here must also be said at a public hearing and prohibited to suit the situation of today.”
He subsequently called for a voice vote, which showed majority support for the bill during its second reading.
Akpabio also summarised the intention of the legislation:
“This bill seeks to amend the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related offences as acts of terrorism and to prescribe the death penalty for such offences, without the option of fines or alternative sentences.”
Following passage at second reading, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, alongside the Committees on National Security and Interior. They are expected to report back within two weeks.
The bill was first introduced on November 27, a day after senators resolved to reclassify kidnapping as terrorism in response to rising nationwide abductions.
Under Nigeria’s current law, the death penalty applies only when a kidnapped victim dies, while other forms of kidnapping attract penalties including life imprisonment. The Act also criminalises ransom payments, with offenders facing at least 15 years in prison.
Recent kidnapping incidents—including the rescue of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State—have intensified calls for stronger deterrents, even though no suspects have been apprehended in those cases.
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