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Senate Backs Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Informants, Others
The Senate on Wednesday moved to tighten Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws by pushing for the death penalty for kidnappers — and anyone who finances, enables, or provides information to them — as lawmakers debated amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The proposal, sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related crimes as terrorism, giving security agencies wider powers to track, disrupt, and prosecute criminal networks across the country.
The debate dominated Wednesday’s plenary, drawing contributions from key senators including Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Minority Leader Abba Moro.
The session was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
After hours of deliberation, the Senate unanimously approved the amendment bill for further legislative work and referred it to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters (lead committee), National Security and Intelligence, and Interior.
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The committees are expected to report back within two weeks.
Leading debate on the bill, Bamidele said the purpose was to “designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as acts of terrorism and prescribe the death penalty for such offences without option of fine or alternative sentence.”
He warned that kidnapping had evolved into “coordinated, commercialised and militarised acts of violence perpetrated by organised criminal groups.”
“Kidnapping has instilled widespread fear in communities; undermined national economic activities and agricultural output; interrupted children’s education; bankrupted families forced to pay ransom; overstretched our security forces, and claimed countless innocent lives,” the Senate leader lamented.
According to him, the patterns of brutality associated with kidnapping “now carry all the characteristics of terrorism,” making it necessary to treat the offence under the counter-terrorism framework.
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Bamidele added that the bill would empower security agencies with “broader operational authority, intelligence capabilities, and prosecutorial tools” to pursue terrorists and their enablers.
He stressed that the death penalty would apply not only to kidnappers but also to “their informants, logistics providers, harbourers, transporters, and anyone who knowingly assists, facilitates, or supports kidnapping operations,” adding that “attempt, conspiracy or incitement to kidnap attracts the same penalty.”
“Nigerians are kidnapped on highways, in schools, in homes, on farms and in markets,” he said. “This is not a mere crime. It is terrorism in its purest form.”
Backing the amendment, Oshiomhole criticised deradicalisation programmes for terror suspects, arguing that many offenders returned to crime.
“We should not continue with deradicalisation programmes again,” he said. “No more de-radicalisation. If you are caught and convicted for acts of terrorism, then the penalty should be death.”
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Kalu also supported the bill, insisting that informants and sponsors of kidnappers must “face the consequence.”
“Nigerians have suffered at the hands of kidnappers. Young girls have been raped. Women have become widows for no reason. This must not continue again,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Moro described the bill as “a unanimous decision of the Senate,” noting that it was necessary to impose capital punishment “with the hope that kidnappers will face the penalty.”
Senator Victor Umeh, in his contribution, condemned the rising trend of abductions and the killing of victims even after ransom payments. He said financial institutions aiding such crimes must also be scrutinised.
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Last week, the Senate took a similarly tough stance as it debated a motion following the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others.
Although all victims were later rescued, lawmakers said the incident exposed the spread of insurgent cells into the South and worsening insecurity in rural communities.
The debate stemmed from a motion by Senator Yisa Ashiru titled ‘Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks.’
Senators also raised concerns over rising school abductions, which have led to shutdowns in parts of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The latest amendment effort signals a tougher legislative push as insecurity — particularly kidnapping for ransom — continues to devastate communities across the country.
News
Accept Free Flights, $3,000 Cash To Leave Or Risk Arrest – US Tells Illegal Immigrants
The United States government has announced a Christmas self-deportation incentive, offering undocumented immigrants free flight tickets and a $3,000 cash bonus to voluntarily leave the country before the end of the year.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday, December 22, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which warned that undocumented immigrants who ignore the offer risk arrest, forced deportation, and a lifetime ban from re-entering the United States.
According to the DHS, undocumented immigrants who enrol in the programme before December 31 will receive fully funded travel arrangements to their home countries, along with a $3,000 stipend.
“Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home,” the department said.
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The initiative is being implemented through the CBP Home mobile application, which allows undocumented immigrants to register for voluntary departure. Participants will also benefit from waived civil fines and penalties related to overstaying or previous failure to leave the country.
DHS said the policy has already yielded significant results, with a marked increase in voluntary departures.
“Since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme,” the statement said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the initiative as a temporary goodwill gesture tied to the Christmas season, noting that the incentive had been tripled for the holidays.
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“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily, offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but only until the end of the year,” Noem said.
She warned that those who fail to take advantage of the offer would face strict enforcement measures.
“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport. If they don’t, we will find them, arrest them, and they will never return,” she said.
The DHS assured interested migrants that the process is straightforward and fully handled by the government.
“Self-deportation through the CBP Home app is fast, free, and easy. DHS will take care of everything, including travel arrangements,” the department said.
The agency reiterated that undocumented immigrants who ignore the programme would be subject to arrest, forced removal, and permanent restrictions on future entry into the United States.
News
Benue: Five Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Ortese, Block Major Road
No fewer than five youths have reportedly lost their lives in a deadly attack attributed to suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ortese, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to local accounts, the assailants barricaded the Ortese–Yogbo road during the attack, ambushing and killing the victims at the scene.
Several other residents were said to have been forcibly taken to undisclosed locations.
The assault has sparked widespread fear in the community, with residents expressing concern over their safety as tensions continue to rise.
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Community sources revealed that additional bodies are being found in nearby areas, further worsening the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have not released an official statement on the incident, although investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to restore calm in Ortese and surrounding communities.
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86 Years Memorial Of Capt. Sir Walter Ededuna Obaseki
In loving, ever green and very precious 86 years memorial of our grand patriarch,
His Excellency,
The right honourable,
the most distinguished ambassador
Capt. Sir Walter Ededuna Obaseki (A.K.A Okhien’Ewere)
GBE GCB GCMG KCB KBE CBE OM CH PC DSO
Head of Hovernment
British Administrator
and
Prime Minister in the British Nigerian Government.
Governor of the British Board of Trade.
Captain of the British Merchant navy.
World war II veteran
and a recipient of the world war II campaigns and gallantry medals of honour;
I. The 1939-1945 Star
II. Atlantic Medal
III. British War Medal
IV. Italy Star
Awarded to officers and seamen of the British merchant navy by HRM King George VI
Daddy, your good life is worthy of emulation
Your public works and legacy open great doors for us your descendants
You plotted the skies, mapped the land and chatted the oceans and high seas to threshold development in our great nation Nigeria. as a pioneer industrialist you successfully brought your people to understand and become part of the modern world governnent.
Ededuna Walter Obaseki together with the British established government agencies, built public facilities, institutions and parastatals of government and also brought law and order to the way things are done according to the standards of international best practice as we have it even in The international community.
Those who tried to steal your glory and change the true position of things failed woefully, their evil craftsmanship have since been exposed to everyone because the truth cannot be hidden completely forever.
May your memory never ever go to oblivion!
Just as it is written in The Holy Book
Proverbs 10: 7.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Psalm 112: 6.
The Righteous Shall be remembered forever!
Signed:
The Scion of Sir Walter Ededuna Obaseki;
Mercy Ededuna Obaseki
for
The entire direct descendants of Capt. Sir Walter Ededuna Obaseki GCMG CBE DSO OM CH PC
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