Senate Approves Move to Impose Mandatory Death Penalty for Kidnapping
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday resolved to amend the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act to prescribe the death penalty — without the option of a fine or judicial discretion — for all kidnapping offences.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during plenary after a majority of lawmakers backed the proposal through a voice vote. The resolution followed an additional motion by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who raised concerns over the escalating rate of abductions nationwide.
Senator Ningi urged the Senate to mandate its Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to draft the amendment to reclassify kidnapping as an act of terrorism, automatically attracting capital punishment regardless of circumstance, region, or outcome. The motion was seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who insisted that judges should have no discretion when passing judgement for such offences.
“The offence of kidnapping should carry the death penalty with no judicial discretion. Parliament must make this law clear,” Oshiomhole stated.
The former Edo State governor also called on state governors to be willing to sign execution warrants, noting that many shy away from authorising death sentences despite legal backing.
“Governors must have the courage to sign death warrants. I did as governor — others refused,” he said.
Senate President Akpabio endorsed the proposal, declaring that the Senate had taken a firm position in favour of the maximum punishment.
“Once kidnapping is proven in court, a death sentence must follow. No judge should have the power to lessen it. Kidnapping should be classified as terrorism, and the punishment must be death — without discretion,” he said.
After the motion was put to vote, it was adopted by majority approval. Akpabio subsequently directed the Senate Leader to prepare the amendment immediately, stressing urgency in addressing the growing insecurity challenge.
Under the current Anti-Terrorism Act, kidnapping that results in the death of a victim already attracts the death penalty, while cases without fatalities draw varying penalties, including life imprisonment. The law also criminalises ransom payment, imposing a minimum sentence of 15 years on those who pay kidnappers.
Kidnapping has continued to surge across Nigeria, with criminal groups benefiting heavily from ransom payments. During the earlier debate, Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) described ransom funds as a major revenue source for terrorists, enabling them to acquire weapons and sustain operations.
