Intense Debate That Made Senate Prescribe Harsh Penalty for Kidnappers

The Senate on Wednesday prescribed a harsh penalty for kidnappers following an intense debate on the floor of the upper legislative house

The prescription comes amidst festering security problems around the country ,which has also drawn flaks from the international community.

The insecurity issue triggered intense debate, with the senate declaring kidnapping a form of terrorism and recommending the death penalty for offenders.

The death penalty it says, would be without the option of fines or judicial discretion to reduce sentences.

The resolution triggered by submissions on the November 18 killing of two worshippers and abduction of 38 others during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku in Kwara State.

The lawmaker representing Kwara South, Senator Yisa Ashiru had tabled a motion  “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,” sparking an intense debate.

Aside the Eruku incident, references were also made on the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi and mass kidnappings in Niger.

What senators said:

Nigeria should widen the search for solutions; we should seek assistance from overseas, urging collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis.

– Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin

The Nigerian military has a critical manpower deficit. Nigeria’s entire military, police, and paramilitary personnel do not total one million compared to Egypt’s 1.5 million;

He pushed for urgent equipment upgrades, better intelligence coordination, and a reserve force to support overstretched troops.

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– Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East)

If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangement. I am not impressed with our Committee on Security and Intelligence. We should rejig it ourselves.

– Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele

The current government must accept responsibility, especially with reports troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school attack. Who asked them? Nobody knows. If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.

= Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe