The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward strengthening punishments for kidnapping, a crime that has continued to spread across many parts of the country. During its plenary session on Wednesday, lawmakers adopted a resolution that classifies kidnapping as an act of terrorism, paving the way for far stricter penalties under the nation’s anti-terrorism laws.
If the proposal becomes law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Nigeria will automatically face the death penalty.
The resolution followed rising concerns from senators about the increasing cases of abductions targeting schoolchildren, travelers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens. Many lawmakers stressed that kidnapping has become one of the most frightening security threats facing the country and that the current punishments are no longer strong enough to deter criminals.
According to the Senate, the decision is aimed not only at punishing offenders but also at sending a clear message that the government will no longer tolerate what has now become a nationwide menace. “The resolution mandates that, upon conviction for kidnapping, the death penalty must be enforced,” the Senate stated during the session.
Kidnapping has grown over the last decade into a major violent crime in Nigeria. While it began as a tactic used by armed militants in the Niger Delta in the early 2000s, it has since spread across all geopolitical zones. Criminal groups—ranging from bandits in the North-West to armed gangs in the South-East—have increasingly used kidnapping to force families, communities, and sometimes even state governments to pay ransom.
In recent years, mass abductions of schoolchildren have shocked Nigerians and the international community. Incidents such as the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping by Boko Haram, the Dapchi girls’ abduction in 2018, and several other attacks on schools in Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states have further highlighted the scale of the crisis. Many families have been forced to sell property, borrow heavily, or rely on community fundraising to secure the release of their loved ones.
Despite repeated efforts by security agencies to curb the incidents, reports of kidnappings continue to surface almost weekly. Analysts and civil society groups have often criticized the government for lacking a clear long-term strategy to deal with the problem. They argue that the combination of widespread poverty, weak law enforcement, and porous borders has made kidnapping a highly profitable crime.
During the debate on Wednesday, senators said the gravity of the situation now requires tougher and more decisive action. Several lawmakers argued that categorizing kidnapping as terrorism would allow security agencies to treat such cases with the full force of anti-terror laws, which provide for more aggressive investigations, stronger intelligence operations, and faster prosecution.
Others noted that the existing punishments—often years in prison—are no longer enough to discourage criminals who see kidnapping as an easy way to make quick money. Some senators warned that if bold steps are not taken, the situation could worsen and further undermine the country’s economy, social stability, and international reputation.
While the Senate’s decision reflects widespread public frustration over the insecurity crisis, the move is likely to generate debate across the country. Nigeria currently retains the death penalty in its laws, although it is rarely implemented. Human rights organizations have repeatedly urged the country to abolish capital punishment, arguing that it does not reduce crime and could lead to the execution of innocent people due to weak investigations or judicial errors.
On the other hand, many Nigerians support harsher punishments for kidnappers, especially in states that have suffered repeated attacks. Some state governments, such as Kano and Lagos, have previously introduced the death penalty for certain kidnapping cases, though enforcement has remained limited.
Following Wednesday’s resolution, the Senate is expected to begin drafting the specific amendments needed to include kidnapping in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. This act, originally passed in 2011 and updated in 2022, outlines the legal framework for combating terrorism in Nigeria. If kidnapping is formally added, it would give authorities new powers to freeze accounts, track financial flows, and crack down more aggressively on the networks that support kidnapping activities.
Senators emphasized that their goal is not only to punish offenders but also to discourage young people from joining criminal gangs. They expressed hope that stronger laws, combined with better policing and community support, will reduce the wave of abductions that has disrupted businesses, kept children out of school, and created fear across many communities.
As the proposed amendments move forward, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the government enforces these measures. Many citizens believe that stronger laws must go hand in hand with improved intelligence gathering, better-equipped security forces, and more investment in addressing the root causes of crime.
