The Nigerian Senate took a big step on Thursday to address rising insecurity by proposing a bill to update the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, aiming to strengthen the nation’s counterterrorism efforts.
The proposed amendment, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, passed first reading during plenary, marking the formal start of legislative work on the new provisions.
The move comes just a day after senators held an intense debate on the escalating security crisis nationwide, during which lawmakers unanimously agreed that kidnapping should be formally classified as an act of terrorism and attract the death penalty. The amendment bill is expected to provide the legal backing needed to impose stiffer punishments on kidnappers and violent criminal groups threatening national stability.
In a related development, the Senate established an 18-member ad hoc committee to investigate the implementation of the Safe School Initiative — a security intervention designed to protect students and education facilities across the country. Senator Orji Kalu was appointed chairman of the panel, which also includes Senators Tony Nwoye, Yemi Adaramodu, Harry Ipalibo, Ede Dafinone, Mustapha Saliu, Diket Plang, Binus Yaroe, Kaka Shehu, and Musa Garba Maidoki, among others.
The committee’s creation followed concerns raised by senators over persistent attacks on schools despite significant funding allocated to the initiative. Lawmakers questioned how the programme has been managed amid recent high-profile school invasions.
Their worry deepened after gunmen stormed Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting at least 25 students. Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s additional prayers during debate further reinforced calls for accountability.
The committee was given four weeks to conduct a full investigation and submit its findings to the Senate.
The Senate’s actions come against the backdrop of relentless attacks in various parts of the country. Just last week, gunmen invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, kidnapping more than 300 pupils and staff. Similar attacks and abductions were reported in Kwara, Kano, and Borno states, heightening national alarm.
In response, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and unveiled sweeping measures aimed at restoring stability. These include immediate recruitment into the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training bases for new security personnel, withdrawal of officers from VIP protection duties for rapid retraining and redeployment to high-risk zones, and an authorisation for the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy already-trained forest guards to track down terrorists and bandits hiding in forested areas.
The Senate is expected to accelerate legislative action on the Terrorism Act amendment as security agencies roll out these new directives in the coming weeks.
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