The Nigerian Senate has demanded that the highest penalty for rapists in the country, with a specific focus on cases involving minors.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday in the Upper Chamber, following a motion raised by lawmaker representing Cross River North, Senator Rose Okoh, “on a matter of urgent public importance on the alarming rate of rape of minors”.

In their various contributions, some senators decried how issues of rape were being handled by the police.

They, however, demanded that reports of such cases should also be sent to the Senate for prompt action.

The lawmakers however agreed that relevant laws be amended to reflect the heaviest punishments for rapists, with the hope that it could serve as a deterrent.

They also urged the state governments to domesticate the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons Act in their different states, as a means of bringing perpetrators to book.

Equally, the Senate raised concern over the rate of suicide in the country.

It, therefore, asked the Federal Government to ban the production, importation or circulation of a popular brand of insecticide, Sniper.

According to the Red Chamber, people who intend to commit suicide use the product as one easy tool to achieve their purpose.