Senate President Godswill Akpabio has endorsed the death penalty for kidnappers, describing capital punishment as a crucial deterrent against Nigeria’s rising violent crime rate.
Speaking on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Akpabio commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership in tackling insecurity, particularly citing the recent rescue of abducted children. He pledged the National Assembly’s full support for stronger laws against kidnapping and terrorism.
Akpabio lauded Tinubu’s handling of national security challenges, highlighting rescue operations as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He also offered prayers for the safe return of remaining victims and expressed condolences to the families of both civilians and security personnel who lost their lives during rescue missions.
“We condole with families who have lost loved ones, including members of the armed forces who died protecting lives and property. We will stand with their families in this moment of grief,” he said.
The Senate President revealed that kidnapping has now been legislatively classified on par with terrorism. He stressed that kidnappers would face the death penalty once President Tinubu assents to the relevant bill.
“Kidnappers will face the death sentence once the President assents to the bill,” Akpabio said, warning that failure to enforce capital punishment could embolden criminals, resulting in more jailbreaks and loss of lives.
He further linked Nigeria’s internal security to regional stability, commending Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts in the Benin Republic to safeguard democratic order. “If our neighbours are not stable, Nigeria cannot be stable,” he added, affirming the Senate’s support for the President’s regional engagement initiatives.
Akpabio’s remarks come amid escalating insecurity in Nigeria, which has prompted President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security. Communities have recently witnessed a surge in killings and abductions perpetrated by bandits and terrorists.
