Amid rising insecurity across Nigeria, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for legal penalties against government officials who negotiate ransom payments with kidnappers.
The proposal, which he hopes to see enacted within the next six months, is part of a broader legislative effort to tackle the country’s worsening security situation.
Kalu presented the initiative during a special session of the House focused on national security on Tuesday.
He emphasised that lawmakers must prioritise an anti-banditry agenda that would criminalize ransom negotiations and ensure suspects face the criminal justice system rather than informal amnesty programs.
“The parliament must set the foundation for strong crisis response measures.
“This includes introducing criminal penalties for officials involved in ransom negotiations and guaranteeing that all suspects are prosecuted through legal channels,” he said.
The Abia-born lawmaker also stressed the need to strengthen policing nationwide, advocating for the acceleration of state and local police formations.
He suggested that equipping security agencies with modern technology would enhance their ability to respond effectively to crimes, including kidnappings.
Kalu’s remarks come in the wake of several high-profile abductions in recent weeks, including the kidnapping of schoolchildren and churchgoers in multiple states.
These incidents have placed additional pressure on the federal government and security agencies to improve protective measures.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has already directed security agencies to take immediate action, including redeploying police officers away from VIP protection duties to frontline crime-fighting operations.
The President has also postponed planned foreign trips to focus on the nation’s security challenges.
Kalu’s proposal reflects growing concern among lawmakers that ransom payments not only finance criminal networks but also embolden further attacks, creating a cycle of insecurity that must be legally curtailed.
