The Senate has passed, for second reading, a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related offences as acts of terrorism.
Sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill proposes the death penalty, without the option of a fine, for convicted offenders.
Senator Bamidele described kidnapping as one of the most pervasive and highly commercialised forms of violence perpetrated by criminal groups, noting that it has created widespread fear in communities and disrupted education, particularly for children.
Lawmakers also proposed sanctions for financial institutions that aid kidnappers and called for an end to the practice of granting amnesty to identified terrorists.
The bill has been referred to the relevant joint committees for further legislative scrutiny and is expected to be reported back within two weeks.