The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has officially declared that kidnapping will now be treated as a form of terrorism, with the death penalty to be imposed on offenders once the relevant bill receives presidential assent. This announcement comes amid increasing concerns over violent crimes and a surge in kidnapping incidents across Nigeria.
Akpabio made the declaration on Thursday during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. He commended President Bola Tinubu’s decisive leadership in tackling insecurity, particularly highlighting the recent successful rescue operations of abducted children. The Senate President praised the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to protecting lives and property and assured citizens of the National Assembly’s support for tougher laws aimed at deterring kidnappers and terrorists.
“We condole with families who have lost loved ones, including members of the armed forces who died protecting lives and property. We will stand with their families in this moment of grief,” Akpabio stated.
Senator Akpabio revealed that the National Assembly had taken legislative steps to categorise kidnapping alongside terrorism under Nigerian law. He explained that the bill is designed to serve as a strong deterrent against violent crimes and to curb the rising tide of criminal activities. “Kidnappers will face the death sentence once the President assents to the bill,” he said. He further warned that failure to enforce capital punishment could embolden criminals, potentially resulting in more jailbreaks, escalated criminal activity, and additional loss of life.
Security analysts have welcomed the Senate President’s announcement, noting that the legal alignment of kidnapping with terrorism underscores the gravity of the crime. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria has experienced a surge in kidnapping cases in the past five years, with both domestic and foreign nationals increasingly targeted by armed criminal groups. Experts argue that the death penalty may act as a deterrent, but caution that it must be complemented with robust law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and social interventions to be fully effective.
Beyond domestic security, Akpabio linked Nigeria’s internal stability to the security of its neighbouring countries. He commended President Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts in Benin Republic, which aimed to safeguard democratic order and promote regional stability. “If our neighbours are not stable, Nigeria cannot be stable,” he said, emphasizing that regional peace is critical to national security and economic growth.
Turning to party politics, Akpabio celebrated a wave of alignment behind the APC, welcoming recently defected governors, including the Plateau State governor. He credited the party’s National Chairman, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, for consolidating gains and strengthening the party’s structure nationwide.
Akpabio urged newly defected governors to cooperate with party elders in their respective states, drawing lessons from his own political experience in Akwa Ibom State. “Thank them for tolerating you, for accommodating you, for accepting you,” he advised, stressing the importance of unity for effective governance.
The Senate President also reflected on past political struggles in the South-East, highlighting the importance of learning from previous conflicts to foster cooperation across states as more governors join the APC. He expressed optimism that the cordial political relationship seen in Enugu would extend to Rivers, Delta, and other South-South states.
Projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akpabio stated that the growing strength of the APC must translate into unity and collective electoral success. “At the end, this should result in bloc votes and victory for the APC come 2027,” he said, urging all party members to maintain cohesion and focus on common objectives.
The announcement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s legislative approach to combating kidnapping and terrorism. Analysts argue that while capital punishment for kidnappers may serve as a deterrent, success will also depend on strengthening policing, intelligence operations, and community engagement to reduce the influence of criminal networks.
Will this tough new stance on kidnapping and terrorism finally curb the rising wave of violent crimes across Nigeria, or will more comprehensive strategies be needed to protect citizens and ensure lasting peace?
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