The Senate on Wednesday took some of its strongest security decisions in recent years, declaring kidnapping a form of terrorism and recommending the death penalty for offenders without the option of fine or judicial discretion to reduce the punishment.
The move followed hours of tense deliberations over escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and neighbouring states, triggered by the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 abducted.
Although all the abducted victims were later rescued through coordinated operations involving the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS and vigilante groups, lawmakers said the attack confirmed the southward spread of insurgent activities and the deepening collapse of rural security.
The Senate resolutions followed a robust debate on a motion titled ‘Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,’ moved by Senator Oyelola Ashiru, representing Kwara South Senatorial District.
Senators warned that schools, worship centres, roads, and entire communities had become targets in a widening pattern of attacks.
The Senate noted that the wave of school abductions had forced the shutdown of learning activities in all local governments of Kebbi and Niger States, five LGAs in Kwara, and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
The chamber expressed alarm over reports that troops were withdrawn from a school in Kebbi State a few minutes before the bandits struck, and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, as well as the killing of Brigadier-General Uba, who was ambushed after his security warnings were allegedly leaked.
The senators also identified internal collaborators, compromised intelligence channels, and the takeover of forest corridors, such as the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara route, and Shiroro–Rafi–Munya triangle, as enabling factors behind the surge in coordinated attacks.
Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) lamented Nigeria’s severe security manpower deficit, noting that the nation’s military, police and paramilitary personnel combined do not total one million, while Egypt, with a similar population, maintains over 1.5 million security personnel.
He called for urgent modernisation of equipment, improved intelligence coordination, and activation of a military reserve force to support overstretched troops.
Other senators warned that bandit activities were now creeping towards Osun State through Ekiti-linked communities around Eruku–Isapa–Koro, where a retired Army General and traditional ruler were recently killed.
On infrastructure, the lawmakers blamed deteriorated highways, especially the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road, for enabling bandits’ swift escape after attacks.
The Federal Ministry of Works was directed to immediately commence reconstruction of the corridor.
Concerned by rising brutality and ransom-driven criminal networks, senators agreed that kidnapping had evolved into a form of terrorism and must be confronted with the harshest punishment under the law.
“Capital punishment must apply,” several senators argued, insisting that no judge should have the power to reduce the sentence for convicted kidnappers.
The Senate called on President Bola Tinubu to “further rejig the nation’s security architecture”.
Although Senator Ali Ndume cautioned that such statements could be misinterpreted in light of the recent confirmation of service chiefs.
The chamber clarified that its demand was aimed at strengthening coordination, technology, intelligence, and rapid deployment capabilities.
In one of the most dramatic decisions of the session, the Senate dissolved its Committee on National Security & Intelligence and the Committee on Air Force with immediate effect.
All other security-related committees were directed to submit written reports of their oversight activities and brief the Senate in a closed session within one week.
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