Senate Introduces Bill to Classify Kidnapping as Terrorism, Mandates Death Penalty

The Nigerian Senate has introduced a bill seeking to classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism punishable by death. The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, follows a heated debate on rising insecurity during which senators unanimously called for harsher penalties to curb widespread abductions across the country.

The amendment bill marks the first step toward tightening the legal framework against kidnapping, which lawmakers say has become a national emergency.

Senate Sets Up Committee to Probe Safe School Initiative

In a related development, the Senate on Thursday constituted an 18-member ad hoc committee to investigate the implementation of the Safe School Initiative. The committee will be chaired by Senator Orji Kalu.

Other members include Senators Tony Nwoye, Yemi Adaramodu, Harry Ipalibo, Ede Dafinone, Mustapha Saliu, Diket Plang, Binus Yaroe, Kaka Shehu, and Musa Garba Maidoki, among others.

The probe follows renewed concerns over the utilisation of funds allocated to secure schools, especially after armed men attacked the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State—killing the vice principal and abducting about 25 students.

Senators argued that despite years of investment in the initiative, attacks on schools persist, citing recent mass abductions in Niger, Kwara, Kano, and Borno states.

The committee is expected to submit its findings to the Senate within four weeks.

Nationwide Security Emergency Declared

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a national security emergency, ordering fresh recruitment into the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police. He also approved the use of NYSC camps as training centres for new security personnel.

Additionally, officers withdrawn from VIP duties are to undergo “crash training” before deployment to high-risk areas.

The President has also authorised the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards to locate and eliminate bandits hiding in forests across the country.

Recent Wave of Attacks Intensifies Security Concerns

The Senate’s latest actions come amid escalating violence in many states:

• Niger State: Over 300 students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri.
• Kebbi State: 25 girl students abducted in Maga.
• Kwara, Kano, and Borno: Multiple reports of attacks and kidnappings.

Lawmakers say the situation requires urgent, decisive action to restore public confidence in national security.