The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill that seeks to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as acts of terrorism.
The bill sponsored by Opeyemi Bamidele and the 108 other senators proposes the death penalty without the option of a fine or alternative punishment for offenders.
Bamidele said the amendment supports the Senate’s commitment to work with the Federal Government to address the country’s security challenges.
The senator reminded lawmakers that three weeks ago, during an executive session, the Senate agreed to introduce a stronger legal framework to curb the increasing cases of kidnapping nationwide.
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Leading the debate, he described kidnapping as one of the most widespread and commercialised crimes in the country. He said the crime has created fear in communities and disrupted schooling for many children.
The bill seeks to formally designate kidnapping and hostage-taking as terrorism offences under Nigerian law.
Lawmakers said the death penalty would act as a strong deterrent to criminals.
Some senators while supporting the bill also called for sanctions against financial institutions that aid or facilitate transactions linked to kidnappers.
Others urged the government to stop granting amnesty to identified terrorists.
The Senate referred the bill to the joint committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Interior, and National Intelligence, and directed them to report back in two weeks.
