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Nigerian senate proposes death penalty for kidnappers

Xinhua, May 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday said it would pass a bill for a law that would make kidnapping in Nigeria punishable by death.

The resolution followed the adoption of recommendations by the joint Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence on the unfortunate re-occurrence of kidnapping and hostage taking in the country.

The lawmakers held that capital punishment for the offence would serve as deterrent to potential offenders.

They urged state governments to enact laws that would aid the prosecution of kidnap suspects.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim said kidnapping which started in some regions had become a nationwide menace.

He said the security agencies knew the mode of operation of the kidnappers but were usually hampered by lack of funds and equipment to combat them.

On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, said Nigerians had encouraged kidnapping by panicking and paying ransom too quickly.

High-profile kidnappings and abduction of foreigners for ransom are rampant in Nigeria and most victims were released unharmed after payment of ransoms. Endit