Senators Move To Make Kidnapping A Capital Offense, Nigerians React

The Senate’s recent proposal to impose the death penalty for kidnapping and banditry has ignited a nationwide debate, drawing criticism from human rights advocates, legal scholars, and community leaders who argue that the measure is unlikely to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigeria has long struggled with rising banditry and kidnappings, resulting in thousands of deaths, economic disruption, and widespread fear across affected communities.

Recently, the Senate passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to classify kidnapping and hostage-taking as terrorism offences, prescribe capital punishment for offenders, and grant security agencies powers to trace and seize assets connected to these crimes.

The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2025 (SB.969), was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and co-sponsored by 108 senators.

‘Kidnapping Has Become a Commercialised National Menace’ – Bamidele
Bamidele described the bill as a direct response to one of Nigeria’s most urgent security threats. He warned that kidnapping has evolved “from isolated incidents into a commercialised, militarised, and well-coordinated national menace,” causing thousands of deaths, crippling businesses, and stretching security forces.

He added that the bill aims to empower law enforcement through asset tracing, forfeiture, and intelligence-led operations.

“The bill seeks to designate kidnapping and hostage-taking as acts of terrorism, prescribe the death penalty without option of fine, and empower security agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks,” Bamidele stated. He also noted that terrorism designation would give prosecutors greater powers to fast-track trials and cut off funding for criminal groups.

Several lawmakers across party lines have described the bill as urgent and necessary “to save lives.” Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno highlighted additional reforms, including continuous legal education for lawyers and expanded powers for the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to investigate and sanction professional misconduct.

Human Rights Experts Push Back
Despite political support, the bill faces strong opposition from human rights advocates. Prof. Uchenna Emelonye, a renowned human rights scholar and former UN Senior Envoy, warned that Nigeria risks violating its international commitments by expanding the death penalty.

He argued that the proposal contradicts the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified by Nigeria in 1993, and global efforts to curb capital punishment.

“Expanding the death penalty is a regressive, ineffective, and legally questionable response to kidnapping,” Emelonye said. He added that executions are unlikely to deter crime in Nigeria due to weaknesses in the justice system, including reliance on torture-based confessions, poor investigations, and inadequate legal representation.

Citing examples from African nations like Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and the Central African Republic, he noted that abolishing the death penalty did not lead to increased violent crime. He urged the Senate to focus instead on community policing, socio-economic interventions, and better control of small arms.

Dialogue, Not Execution
Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi also opposed the amendment, stressing that addressing the root causes of banditry—such as poverty, inequality, marginalisation, and lack of opportunities—is key to a lasting solution. Gumi warned that the death penalty could exacerbate the crisis and has long advocated for dialogue and reintegration programs, which he says could encourage bandits to disarm willingly.

Public Concerns Over Fairness
Many Nigerians on social media have criticized the Senate’s approach, questioning the fairness of applying capital punishment in a justice system riddled with inequities. Some argue that implementing severe penalties without first reforming the judicial system risks deepening existing disparities.

Even within the Senate, there are concerns over the rushed process. Senator Adams Oshiomhole opposed the use of a voice vote for a matter involving life and death, calling for more careful deliberation.

Despite these objections, the prevailing sentiment among most senators, state governors, and several South-West leaders remains in favor of the death penalty, viewing it as a necessary deterrent against kidnapping.