Nigerian Senate Passes Bill Prescribing Death Penalty for Kidnapping Offence

December 3, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill approving the death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping, marking one of the most far-reaching legislative measures yet aimed at curbing the country’s rising abduction cases.

The bill, which seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act, was adopted during plenary after lawmakers considered the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. The amended provision prescribes the death sentence in cases where a victim is harmed during the kidnapping and introduces stiffer penalties for related offences, including conspiracy and attempted abduction.

Lawmakers backing the legislation said the measure is necessary to deter criminal networks responsible for widespread insecurity across several states. They argued that existing penalties have not been sufficient to address the surge in ransom-driven kidnappings.

The bill will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence, after which it may be forwarded to the President for assent before it becomes law.