Amid Rising Abductions, Nigeria’s Senate Orders Death Penalty for Kidnappers

By Toochi Ejiofor

Edited by Ezennia Uche

Following a surge in mass abductions, the Nigerian Senate has moved to classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism and introduce the death penalty for anyone convicted.

The resolution was adopted during plenary on Wednesday after a majority of lawmakers supported the proposal. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision, saying the chamber had agreed that kidnapping should first be classified as an act of terrorism.

Under the new framework, once a court establishes a conviction for kidnapping, the death sentence must be applied, with no option for fines or judicial discretion to reduce the punishment. Previously, under the Nigerian Anti-Terrorism Act, kidnapping was punishable by death only if the victim died, while other cases of abduction carried a sentence of life imprisonment.

This decision comes after a wave of mass abductions, which have left citizens fearful and enraged. The United Nations Human Rights Office reported that at least 402 people, mostly schoolchildren, have been abducted across four states, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno.

On November 17th, 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, were abducted. In Niger State, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School on November 21st, abducting an estimated 303 students and 12 teachers, bringing the total seized to 315. While about 50 victims managed to escape over the weekend, more than 265 children and staff remain missing.

In Kwara State, attackers raided a church in Eruku, kidnapping 38 worshippers after killing two people. Fortunately, all 38 victims from the church attack have since been rescued or released. However, Kwara State saw a fresh incident on November 24th, where a raid on the village of Isapa resulted in the abduction of 10 women and children.

For many, the introduction of the death penalty is a necessary step to deter criminals who have turned kidnapping into a profitable industry. The hope is that the fear of execution will discourage individuals or organised groups from engaging further.

This move, however, doesn’t address root causes. It is largely focused on punishment rather than prevention. Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis is rooted in deeper socioeconomic and governance failures. Many Nigerians are drowning in poverty, and youths are unemployed; security agencies are underfunded and overstretched; and ungoverned forest corridors enable criminal camps to thrive.

Imposing death sentences alone may not deter kidnappers or reduce incidents, as underlying issues persist.