The Senate insecurity resolution introduces tougher measures as lawmakers classify kidnapping as terrorism and push for capital punishment

The Senate insecurity resolution took centre stage on Wednesday as lawmakers declared kidnapping a form of terrorism and recommended capital punishment for offenders, marking one of the chamber’s strongest responses to the nation’s worsening insecurity.

Also read: Senate Commends Tinubu, Security Agencies for Kidnap Victim Rescue

The decision followed a heated debate triggered by the November attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted thirty eight others.

Although every victim was rescued through a joint operation involving the army, police, DSS, and local vigilantes, senators said the incident exposed the alarming southward spread of insurgent cells.

The Senate insecurity resolution stemmed from a motion by Senator Yisa Ashiru, who warned that rural communities were collapsing under the weight of raids on schools, worship centres, highways, and entire villages.

Lawmakers lamented that frequent school abductions had forced the shutdown of schools across parts of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and all forty seven Federal Unity Colleges.

Senator Issa Jibrin described the nation’s security manpower as dangerously inadequate. He noted that Nigeria’s combined military, police, and paramilitary strength was still below one million officers, far short of Egypt’s one point five million.

He urged urgent upgrades in equipment, intelligence sharing, and the creation of a reserve force to support overstretched troops.

Other senators raised concerns that bandit groups were closing in on Osun through border communities linked to Ekiti. They cited killings of a retired Army General and a traditional ruler in the Eruku–Isapa–Koro axis.

The chamber also blamed unsafe roads that help criminals escape, directing immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba corridor.

Under the Senate insecurity resolution, lawmakers insisted that kidnapping had evolved into outright terrorism and must attract the severest punishment.

Several senators declared that no judge should be allowed to reduce sentences for convicted kidnappers, describing the measure as necessary and powerful in the face of rising brutality.

The Senate called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen coordination, technology and intelligence operations within the security framework.

The phrasing initially raised objections from Senator Ali Ndume, who worried that it might be misinterpreted after the recent confirmation of service chiefs.

The chamber clarified that it sought better synergy, not personnel changes.

In a rare moment of self assessment, the Senate dissolved its Committee on National Security and Intelligence as well as its Committee on Air Force.

It directed all security related committees to present written oversight reports within one week, followed by a private briefing.

Lawmakers also moved to strengthen registered vigilante groups and ordered a review of firearms laws to allow controlled arming of vetted citizens.

A separate motion earlier in the day commended President Tinubu and security agencies for recent rescue operations.

It also called for a Joint Task Force along the Kwara–Kogi corridor, a notorious escape route for bandits.

Debates intensified as senators discussed the shocking withdrawal of soldiers hours before the Kebbi school attack.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the government must take responsibility for unexplained decisions, adding that he would demand answers if he were Commander in Chief.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over intelligence breaches, recalling cases where the location of military personnel had been leaked.

He said it was troubling that bandits struck despite warnings issued to vulnerable schools.

Tensions rose when Senator Seriake Dickson warned that the nation was losing credibility. His remarks drew protests from ruling party senators, prompting the presiding officer to mute his microphone.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole later demanded an investigation into the troop withdrawal and insisted that anyone involved should face terrorism charges.

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By the end of the dramatic plenary, the Senate insecurity resolution had become a defining moment, signalling the lawmakers’ readiness to take harder measures to confront the deepening security crisis.