By Oluchi Omai
Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has taken a hardline stance on kidnapping, recommending the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, a move that marks a major shift in the country’s approach to the escalating security crisis.
What the Senate decided
On 26 November 2025, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria passed a resolution reclassifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism. Under the proposed amendment to the nation’s terrorism law, kidnapping offences would attract the maximum penalty of death upon conviction.
The decision was made during Wednesday’s plenary session, reflecting the urgency lawmakers feel in responding to the country’s growing insecurity.
The context behind the move
Kidnapping for ransom and mass abductions have surged in recent years across Nigeria, fuelling fear, instability, and widespread calls for stronger deterrence. Many citizens have expressed frustration at perceived weak penalties and what they see as lax enforcement of existing laws.
By reclassifying kidnapping as terrorism, the Senate signals that abduction is not merely a criminal offence but one that threatens national security — and thus warrants the gravest punishment.
Implications and possible reactions
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Deterrence or desperation? Proponents argue that the death penalty may deter would-be kidnappers and deliver justice for victims. But critics caution that such extreme measures risk driving perpetrators to kill victims quickly, especially if ransom demands become unviable.
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Legal and human-rights considerations: Although the Senate’s recommendation signals resolve, implementing the death penalty raises serious concerns over due process, wrongful convictions, and international human-rights norms.
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Pressure on law enforcement and judiciary: For the law to have a real impact, it must be backed by credible investigations, swift trials, and efficient enforcement. That places the burden on courts and security agencies already stretched by the volume of kidnapping cases.
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Public confidence and expectation: With kidnappings impacting countless families and communities, many Nigerians may see this legislative shift as welcome justice. However, if the law fails to translate into actual convictions and executions, public trust could erode further.
What remains uncertain
While the resolution has passed, the law must still be amended to formalise the death penalty clause. Details on how convictions will be prioritised and whether accomplices or ransom-payers will face similar penalties were not yet disclosed as of the last update.
Additionally, it remains unclear how this new law would align with existing state-level laws: several states already impose severe sentences for kidnapping, but state laws and federal laws can sometimes conflict, raising questions about consistency and legal uniformity across the country.
The Senate’s recommendation to impose the death penalty for kidnapping represents a dramatic escalation in Nigeria’s fight against abduction and banditry, reflects widespread public frustration and a desire for deterrence, yet also raises serious legal and ethical questions. As Nigeria grapples with insecurity, the success of this approach will depend not only on legislation, but on the fairness, transparency and efficiency of law enforcement and judicial processes.
Source: Channels Television
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