Ofure Akhigbe
The Senate on Wednesday prescribed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, declaring the crime an act of terrorism as it took sweeping measures to confront Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
The resolutions followed an emergency debate triggered by the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 worshippers. Although all the victims were later rescued through joint operations by the army, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes, lawmakers said the incident underscored the dangerous spread of insurgent activities into the South-West and the collapse of rural security.
The debate arose from a motion sponsored by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South) titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks.” Senators expressed deep concern over the growing attacks on worship centres, schools, highways, and rural communities.
Lawmakers noted that persistent school abductions had forced the closure of all schools in several local governments in Kebbi and Niger states, five LGAs in Kwara, and the 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
In his contribution, Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East) lamented Nigeria’s critical security manpower gap, warning that the combined strength of the military, police, and paramilitary agencies was “not up to one million personnel,” compared to Egypt’s 1.5 million. He called for urgent equipment upgrades, better intelligence coordination, and the establishment of a reserve force to support overstretched troops.
Other senators warned that banditry was spreading toward Osun State through the Eruku–Isapa–Koro axis of Kwara, where a retired army general and a traditional ruler were recently killed. The Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately reconstruct the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road, identified as a key escape route for criminals.
Amid rising brutality and ransom-driven networks, the Senate resolved that kidnapping now constitutes full-fledged terrorism and must attract the severest punishment. Lawmakers agreed that capital punishment should be mandatory for convicted kidnappers, with no option of fines or judicial discretion for sentence reduction.
The Senate also urged President Bola Tinubu to further rejig the nation’s security architecture to improve coordination, intelligence sharing, surveillance technology, and rapid deployment. However, Senator Ali Ndume cautioned that such language could be misinterpreted in light of the recent confirmation of new service chiefs.
In a rare institutional self-critique, the chamber dissolved its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, and the Air Force with immediate effect. All other security-related committees were directed to submit written oversight reports and brief the Senate behind closed doors within one week.
The Senate further resolved to strengthen registered vigilante groups with federal support and ordered a review of the Firearms Act to allow the controlled arming of responsible citizens.
Earlier on Wednesday, the chamber adopted a separate motion by Senator Ashiru commending President Tinubu and security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted persons in Kwara and Niger states. The motion also called for the establishment of a Joint Task Force for the Kwara–Kogi corridor, described as a notorious escape route for bandits.
Debates grew heated as senators discussed the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi, mass kidnappings in Niger, and the Eruku church attack. Senator Ashiru raised concerns over reports that soldiers allegedly withdrew from a school in Kebbi hours before bandits struck.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged Nigeria to seek international assistance, calling for cooperation with global partners to fight the insurgency.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the security situation as “defining,” while questioning why security agencies had not disclosed the number of terrorists neutralised during recent operations. He also called for internal legislative reforms.
“If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangements,” Bamidele said.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe rejected attempts to blame past administrations, insisting that the current government must accept responsibility. He demanded answers over the reported troop withdrawal ahead of the Kebbi school attack.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over possible intelligence leaks, citing past incidents where the location of military officers was allegedly compromised.
Tensions peaked when Senator Seriake Dickson warned that Nigeria was “losing prestige and integrity,” prompting protests from majority party lawmakers, which forced Akpabio to mute his microphone.
Later, Senator Adams Oshiomhole called for an investigation into the alleged troop withdrawal before the Kebbi attack.
“Whoever ordered the withdrawal should be tried for terrorism,” he said—a proposal the Senate adopted. He also criticised inconsistencies in terrorism sentencing and renewed the push for the death penalty for kidnappers.