The Senate on Tuesday passed a far-reaching set of resolutions aimed at confronting Nigeria’s escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, and school attacks, classifying all kidnapping-related offences as acts of terrorism to attract the maximum death penalty.

The plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, adopted the resolutions after an extensive debate on a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South), with additional amendments moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Death penalty for kidnapping, no judicial reduction of sentence

In one of the strongest security positions taken by the visibly infuriated lawmakers, the Senate resolved that henceforth “all laws relating to kidnapping should be classified as terrorism and should have a maximum death penalty, and no judge should overturn or reduce the sentence without any option of fine.”

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was mandated to present a formal amendment bill “in the shortest possible time” to effect this sweeping legal change.

Furthermore, the lawmakers in a surprise institutional shake-up dissolved two key security committees: the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Air Force.

Both committees are to be reconstituted within one week.

Until this dissolution, Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) served as Chairman of National Security and Intelligence, while Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North) chaired the Air Force Committee.

After adopting the Ashiru motion, the Senate rolled out a robust list of directives to security agencies, federal ministries, and communities. The resolutions include:

1. Appeal for unity and vigilance

The Senate called on communities in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and across the country to remain united, vigilant, and resist internal collaborators aiding terrorists.

2. Commendation to President Tinubu and security agencies

Lawmakers praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies for rapid interventions and urged sustained rescue operations until all abductees nationwide are freed.

3. Immediate reconstruction of affected federal highways

The Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Works to begin immediate repairs of highways damaged or exploited by bandits.

4. Intensified joint security operations

Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau, were ordered to:

– Deploy intelligence-driven operations

– Conduct aerial surveillance

– Strengthen cross-state collaboration

– Expand community-based intelligence systems

5. Establishment of a new Joint Task Force (JTF)

The Senate approved a JTF covering the Kwara–Kogi corridor, with Forward Operating Bases in:

– Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, Isanlu, and Wasagu (Kebbi State)

6. Relief for traumatised communities

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA were directed to provide immediate support to affected communities where schools have been shut down.

7. Strengthening local vigilante groups

The Senate advised the Federal Government to strengthen local vigilante formations and recommended a review of Nigeria’s firearm laws to align with “over 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to own guns.”

8. Investigation of Kebbi troop withdrawal

All Senate security committees were mandated to:

– Investigate the withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school hours before the bandit attack

– Investigate the circular relating to the killing of Brigadier Uba in Maiduguri

– Report back within two weeks

9. International cooperation on counter-terrorism

The Senate resolved to engage the United States Congress and other allied parliaments on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and technology support.

10. Briefing by security committees

All relevant security committees are to brief the Senate within one week on their operational activities.

11. One-minute silence

The chamber observed a one-minute silence in honour of the victims of recent attacks.

12. Support for President Tinubu’s security efforts

The Senate reaffirmed its support for the President’s determination to confront the nation’s insecurity and promised to align with citizens’ demands for a comprehensive security overhaul.

13. Senate leadership to meet the President

The leadership of the Senate will meet with President Tinubu to brief him on the resolutions and chart further action. (The Sun)