Nigeria rolls out new strategies to tame terrorists

…Senate pushes death penalty for terrorists, financiers, informants

…Defence minister Musa backs intelligence-led operations, stricter recruitment

Nigeria has rolled out a fresh set of measures aimed at curbing terrorists and violent criminal groups responsible for killings and widespread insecurity across the country.

A central plank of the new approach is the introduction of the death penalty, without the option of a fine or alternative sentence, for terrorists, bandits, their financiers and informants

The strategy also involves a more intelligence-driven security framework and a more rigorous recruitment process for new entrants into the armed forces. In addition, the government says it will no longer negotiate with criminals.

On Wednesday, the Senate passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, categorising kidnapping, hostage-taking and similar crimes as acts of terrorism.

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Sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and supported by all 108 senators, the bill prescribes the death penalty for offenders, reinforcing the upper chamber’s resolve to work closely with the executive to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

Bamidele recalled that three weeks earlier, senators had agreed, during an executive session, to pursue a stronger legal framework to confront rising kidnapping incidents.

Leading debate on the bill, he described kidnapping as “one of the most pervasive and destructive crimes in our nation today,” noting its evolution from isolated incidents into “coordinated, commercialised, and militarised acts of violence.”

The Senate also unanimously backed provisions empowering law enforcement agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks through stronger enforcement tools and by placing kidnapping under the terrorism framework across the federation.

After a thorough debate, the Senate, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, unanimously approved the proposed amendments.

Akpabio referred the bill to the committees on judiciary, human rights and legal matters (lead committee), national security and intelligence, and interior for further consideration, directing them to report back in two weeks.

Presenting further details, Bamidele justified the severity of the punishment, arguing that 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.”

“It is no longer adequate to treat these acts as ordinary criminal offences,” he said.

“The legal framework must reflect the true magnitude of the threat.”

Bamidele explained that the bill empowers security agencies with broader operational authority, intelligence capabilities and prosecutorial tools under counter-terrorism law.

Beyond designating kidnapping as terrorism, the bill prescribes the death penalty not only for the perpetrators and financiers of such heinous acts, but also for their informants, logistics providers, harbourers, transporters, and anyone who knowingly assist, facilitate, or support kidnapping operations, he said.

“Attempt, conspiracy, or incitement to kidnap attracts the same penalty,” he noted. “This strong deterrent is necessary to confront kidnapping at the scale it currently operates.”

Read also: Nigerian politicians are involved in terrorism financing – ex-chief of defence staff

Supporting the bill, Adams Oshiomhole, a senator, criticised de-radicalisation programmes, saying they have failed to prevent extremists and kidnappers from returning to crime.

“Some of these guys went back to their crimes,” he said.

“No more de-radicalisation. If you are caught and convicted for acts of terrorism, then the penalty should be death.”

Orji Uzor Kalu, yet another senator, supported the bill, saying the Senate has “unanimously agreed with this bill.”

According to him, “Informants, sponsors and everybody involved in kidnapping, hostage and other related offences must face the consequence.”

“Nigerians have suffered in the hands of kidnappers. Young girls have been raped. Women have become widows for no reason. This must not continue again.”

Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed retired General Christopher Musa as defence minister after a rigorous screening examining his tenure as chief of defence staff and his plans for tackling insecurity.

Lawmakers questioned him extensively about the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the November 17 abduction of students.

Musa pledged to order a ‘full-scale investigation’ into the incident once he assumes office. He also addressed the recent killing of a brigade commander, Musa Uba, in Borno State, promising urgent action.

“It is very unfortunate and really painful,” he said. “I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists have the capacity to do such. We are going to go after them fully… We are going to investigate fully.”

During the screening, the retired general outlined several deficiencies in Nigeria’s defence structure, including constitutional and operational gaps that hinder security operations.

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He said improved coordination, enhanced funding and stronger inter-agency cooperation are crucial.

“I believe that the challenges we are facing is a Nigerian challenge, not only for the armed forces or security forces, but for everyone working together,” he said.

“I want to assure you, we will win by working together as a team.”

He called for a comprehensive national database, more active roles for local governments, and a more intelligence-driven approach to security management.

Musa also disclosed that future military recruitment exercises would be more rigorous.

Musa urged the government and citizens to stop negotiating with kidnappers and other criminals, warning that ransom payments only fuel further violence.

“There should be no negotiation with criminals. If you negotiate with them, they will never abide by it. They use the money to buy more arms,” he said.

He dismissed claims that terrorism in Nigeria targets a single religious group.

“We are all victims; everybody is being killed,” he said.

“These are evil people who are on drugs, they kill everyone, they don’t know who is who.”

The screening briefly became contentious when Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) suggested that the nominee “take a bow and go,” but other lawmakers objected, insisting that he be fully questioned. Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South) was among those who rejected any attempt to shorten the process.

Read also: NAF airstrikes destroy terrorists’ hideout in Katsina, foil attack in Borno

Godswill Akpabio, Senate president, intervened, noting that both Nigerians and the international community were monitoring the screening. He insisted that the chamber continue with a detailed session.

After the exhaustive questioning, Akpabio commended Musa for his composure and clarity. “I have not seen any nominee who have answered all questions since 1999,” he said.

He urged the new minister to prioritise a visit to the defence industries once in office.

Musa’s nomination was subsequently put to a voice vote and received unanimous approval, clearing the way for him to take responsibility for steering Nigeria’s defence sector amid rising security concerns across the country.

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