Olushola Omogbehin
Following the recent rise in insecurity across different parts of the country, the Nigerian Senate has designated kidnapping as a form of terrorism and recommended death penalty for offenders, with no option of fines or judicial discretion to reduce sentences.
This definite stand by the upper chamber on Wednesday followed hours of intense debate caused by the recent attacks in Eruku, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Kwara State, Niger and Kebbi where many were killed and about 38 abducted.
Although all victims were later rescued, the incident exposed the dangerous southward drift of insurgency and the collapse of security in rural communities.
According to the lawmakers, though the victims were later rescued, the alarming southward drift of insurgency and the collapse of security in rural communities necessitated quick response.
Therefore, the motion by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South) titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,” generated great concern on the incessant attacks on schools, worship centres, highways, and entire communities.
Decrying the country’s obvious manpower deficit in security services, Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) , warned that Nigeria’s entire military, police and paramilitary personnel “do not total one million,” compared to Egypt’s 1.5 million.
He therefore pushed for urgent equipment upgrades, better intelligence coordination, and the establishment of a reserve force to support overstretched troops.
Raising concerns on the spread of kidnapping to Osun State through Ekiti-linked communities around the Eruku–Isapa–Koro area, the lawmakers blamed the spread of attacks in the area on bad roads and directed the Federal Ministry of Works to without delay begin reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba Road.
The senators resolved that kidnapping has become a full-fledged terrorism and must attract the severest punishment. “Capital punishment must apply,” several lawmakers argued, insisting that no judge should have the power to reduce the sentence for convicted kidnappers.
Urging President Bola Tinubu to further rejig the nation’s security architecture, a call that prompted Senator Ali Ndume to warn that such language could be misread, given the recent confirmation of service chiefs. The chamber, however, clarified that its demand focused specifically on improving coordination, technology, intelligence, and rapid deployment.
In the intense argument that followed, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the current government must accept responsibility.
He also cited reports of troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school attack and asked President Tinubu to demand answer. “If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”
Also speaking on the withdrawal, Adams Oshiomhole, called for investigation into the troop withdrawal and said the person should be tried for terrorism. The Senate Adopted this call.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued that Nigeria must widen its search for solutions, saying, “We should seek assistance from overseas, urging collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the current threats as defining. While acknowledging the rescue of victims, he queried why security agencies had given no breakdown of terrorists neutralised. He also warned colleagues against grandstanding and urged internal reforms: “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,” he stated.
Following Bamidele’s remarks, the Senate dissolved its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and its Committee on Air Force with immediate effect. It directed all other security-related committees to submit written oversight reports and brief the chamber behind closed doors within one week.
Lawmakers also adopted measures to strengthen registered vigilante groups with federal support and ordered a review of the firearms law to permit the controlled arming of responsible citizens.
