Na big tori wey dey shake streets, group chats and social media since senate pass a strong resolution on Wednesday – dem don decide say from now, kidnapping – and any related banditry – go be treated as terrorism. And if court find person guilty, that person fit get death sentence – no option of fine, no chance say judge go reduce am.
During plenary, under Godswill Akpabio leadership, after heavy debate, lawmakers pass motion wey originally come from Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (for Kwara State), with amendment by Opeyemi Bamidele. Dem talk say kidnapping and banditry don scatter everywhere – schools, roads, churches, farms – and na serious threat to national security now.
Senate order say make dem amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act sharp-sharp to include kidnapping/banditry under terrorism, so punishment go hard-hard.
Also dem dissolve some old committees on national security and air force – dem say e time to re-arrange security oversight.
Dem call for support: security agencies, vigilante groups, communities, everybody duppoded standby. Make no group dey allow bandits hide.
Why Senate do this
- Better deterrent: with death penalty plus terrorism classification, dem dey hope say people wey dey think of kidnapping go fear before dem try am
- Protect schools and communities: Senators talk say bandits don start abducting students, church people, villagers – even rural areas no safe again. Dem wan restore sense of safety so youths go fit go school without fear
- No more weak laws: people don always complain say the laws soft – dem fight am, ransom dey high, criminals dey roam free. With this new law, expect serious punishment.
But people still dey ask questions
- Some talk say death penalty nor guarantee crime go stop – but e fit scare some. Others say e better make government strengthen security – na prevention better pass punishment
- Some fear say if enforcement no good, innocent people fit suffer
- Many dey watch to see if this resolution go turn law before e start to work. We know say after Senate pass law, bill go still go House of Representatives, then to President for assent.
Wetin citizens fit do
- Support the law and encourage community vigilance – report any suspicious movements
- Reject ransom payments – paying ransom na part of why kidnappers dey grow bold
- Promote unity across ethnic and religious lines – security no dey identify tribe
- Demand transparency – make government show say dem dey use am well, no abuse power
With this new move, Nigeria dey show say no more time to dey play with insecurity. Kidnapping and banditry – acts wey dey terrorize communities – don change side: na terrorism now.
If implementation correct and justice dey delivered, this legislation fit become turning point for safety of schools,roads, communities. But make we no forgrt – na collective fight: government, security agencies and citizens go join hand. We dey hope table go turn soon; that day we all go fit say: “Insecurity no get chance again!”
