The Nigerian Senate has moved to impose the death penalty for kidnapping and terrorism-related offenses, with no option for fines, while urging an immediate amendment of the Terrorism Act. Lawmakers also called on President Bola Tinubu to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture to address rising attacks on soft targets.
The Senate dissolved the Standing Committee on National Security and Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Airforce, pledging to reconstitute them within a week. Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Interior have been directed to brief the Senate in closed session and submit full reports within two weeks.
Senators emphasized deploying technology, stiffer penalties, and any necessary measures to combat kidnapping, banditry, and insurgency.