The Senate, at its plenary session of Wednesday, 19 May 2021, passed for second reading the bill to amend the Terrorism Act, 2014 (SB 662). The Bill seeks to prohibit the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers and terrorists for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped.

Leading the debate, Sen. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (PDP: Imo), informed lawmakers that intent of the Bill is to amend section 14 of the Principal Act to read as follows:

(14) “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years”

Sen. Onyewuchi who expressed concerns over the rapid increase of kidnapping in Nigeria, noted that the abduction of citizens now serves as a survival strategy and lucrative business for criminals. He mentioned that the act has become one of the most pervasive and intractable crime across the country.

In addition, he stated that the continuous payment of ransom must be discouraged and urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security, accelerate its poverty alleviation programmes, provide employment opportunities, and strengthen the law enforcement agencies with the required support to address the challenges of kidnapping. According to Sen. Onyewuchi, the proposed amendment discourages the payment of ransom in order to mitigate the rising scourge of kidnapping.

The Bill has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative action and expected to report back in 4 weeks.