Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday declared kidnapping an act of terrorism and proposed the death penalty for convicted offenders, citing rising attacks across several states.
The resolution followed debate on the Nov. 18 attack at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where gunmen killed two people and abducted 38 others. The victims were later rescued in a joint operation by security agencies and local vigilantes.
Senators said the incident reflected a spread of armed groups into southern parts of the country and highlighted gaps in rural security. The motion, introduced by Senator Yisa Ashiru of Kwara South, also raised concerns over recent attacks on schools, worship centres, highways and villages in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.
Lawmakers said repeated school abductions had forced temporary closures of schools in parts of the three states and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
Senator Issa Jibrin of Kogi East said Nigeria lacked adequate security personnel, noting that the combined strength of military, police and paramilitary agencies was below one million. He called for better equipment, improved intelligence coordination and a national reserve force.
Other senators warned that attacks were spreading towards Osun State through border communities near Eruku, where a retired army general and a traditional ruler were recently killed.
The Senate directed the Ministry of Works to begin repairs on the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road, saying poor infrastructure allowed attackers to evade arrest.
Lawmakers agreed that kidnapping had evolved into terrorism and said the crime should attract capital punishment without judicial discretion to reduce sentences.
The chamber also urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen security coordination, technology and rapid-response systems. The call prompted concerns from some lawmakers that the language could be misinterpreted after the recent confirmation of service chiefs.
In an internal move, the Senate dissolved its Committees on National Security and Intelligence and on Air Force, directing other security-related committees to submit oversight reports within a week. It also backed federal support for registered vigilante groups and sought a review of firearms laws to allow controlled civilian arming.
A separate motion by Ashiru commended security agencies for recent rescue operations and called for a joint task force for the Kwara–Kogi corridor, described as a key escape route for bandits.
Debate grew heated as senators discussed the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi, mass kidnappings in Niger and the Eruku church raid. Several lawmakers questioned reports that troops withdrew from a Kebbi school hours before an attack.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over alleged intelligence leaks and said recent incidents showed vulnerabilities in security planning.
Tensions rose when Senator Seriake Dickson said Nigeria was “losing prestige”, prompting protests from ruling-party senators. Senator Adams Oshiomhole later called for an investigation into the reported troop withdrawal, saying any official responsible should face terrorism charges — a recommendation the Senate adopted.