We Know Who They Are — Senate Approves Death Penalty for Kidnappers, Seeks Firearms Law Review

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

We Know Who They Are — Senate Approves Death Penalty for Kidnappers, Seeks Firearms Law Review

The Nigerian Senate has endorsed the death penalty for kidnapping and demanded an urgent overhaul of the country’s firearms law as insecurity continues to spread across Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.

Lawmakers said the escalating violence has exposed deep flaws in Nigeria’s security response and called for stronger federal action to protect communities, schools and worship centres.

The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Lola Ashiru of Kwara South, who described a disturbing rise in coordinated attacks, including the November 18 assault on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku where two worshippers were killed and 38 taken hostage.

The victims were later rescued in joint security operations, alongside 51 abducted students freed in Niger State.

Ashiru told his colleagues that insecurity has forced schools to shut down in parts of Kwara, Niger and Kebbi and across all Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

“We must act decisively to protect children, worshippers and rural communities from further trauma,” he warned.

The Senate expressed shock over reports that military personnel were withdrawn from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi shortly before a kidnapping incident.

Lawmakers demanded a full investigation into the decision, which they said may have emboldened the attackers.

Senators also pointed to increasingly organised criminal gangs exploiting forest corridors linking Kwara to Kogi, Kebbi to Zamfara, and the Shiroro–Rafi–Munya axis in Niger.

According to Ashiru, these networks thrive with help from internal collaborators who provide intelligence, logistics and escape routes.

During the debate, Senator Sani Musa questioned the recent rescue of abductees “without firing a shot,” suggesting that ransom may have been paid.

He challenged security agencies to use available technology to track terrorists who openly communicate via mobile phones.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe accused the government of downplaying the scale of the crisis, saying some communities in the North now pay taxes to terrorists for protection.

He condemned the troop withdrawal in Kebbi, saying such decisions put children directly in harm’s way.

Another lawmaker, Abdul Ningi, lamented that kidnapping has turned into a “more lucrative business than oil and politics,” while Senator Sadiq Umar said the fight against terrorism would remain difficult unless collaborators are identified and prosecuted. Umar added that gaps in troop deployment must be urgently addressed.

Borno Senator Ali Ndume highlighted how overstretched Nigeria’s armed forces have become.

He noted that Egypt, with a smaller population, maintains a far larger army and police force. Nigeria’s security agencies, he said, are spread thin across active operations in 32 states.

Benue lawmaker Titus Zam said many communities in his state have been overrun by bandits. “The military knows their locations,” he insisted, calling for a more forceful and sustained offensive.

Kebbi Senator Yahaya Abdullahi echoed this, stressing that Nigeria cannot continue shutting schools because of bandits. “We should go after them and eliminate them,” he said.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged collective national action, warning that no state can confront the crisis alone.

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said politics must be put aside, while Minority Leader Abba Moro raised concerns that insecurity could spread further if not confronted swiftly.

Lawmakers commended President Bola Tinubu for cancelling foreign trips to directly supervise security efforts.

They called for intelligence-driven operations, increased aerial surveillance and a Joint Task Force along the Kwara–Kogi corridor with new operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, Isanlu and Wasagu.

The Senate also tasked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA with providing immediate relief for affected families. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and avoid supporting criminal networks.

To strengthen the legal framework, the Senate pushed for kidnapping to be formally classified as terrorism—punishable by death—and urged a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s firearms laws to allow responsible citizens to bear arms for self-defence, a practice they said mirrors that of over 175 countries.

The chamber dissolved committees on National Security, Intelligence and Air Force for reconstitution aimed at boosting oversight. A minute of silence was held for victims of recent attacks.

Kidnapping has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most persistent security threats, particularly across the North-West and North-Central regions where bandits and armed groups operate across vast, ungoverned forest corridors.

The surge in attacks on schools since the Chibok abductions continues to put pressure on state and federal authorities, many of whom have resorted to shutting schools to protect students.

Recent attacks in Kwara, Niger and Kebbi reflect a widening pattern of coordinated raids targeting rural communities, churches, schools and key highways.

Communities in border areas between Kwara and Kogi, as well as Kebbi and Zamfara, have especially suffered due to poor roads and limited military presence.

Security agencies have carried out rescues, but lawmakers say broader systemic failures—weak intelligence networks, understaffed military units and alleged internal collaboration—continue to fuel the crisis.

Senators argue that Nigeria is effectively in a state of internal warfare and that tougher laws, stronger institutions and modern technology are now urgently required to contain the spread of organised criminal groups.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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