Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has proposed introducing criminal penalties for government officials who negotiate ransom payments in Nigeria.
The move, he said, would strengthen the nation’s response to the escalating insecurity crisis.
Speaking on Tuesday during a special parliamentary session on national security, Kalu outlined a legislative framework aimed at addressing the recent surge in kidnappings and armed attacks, particularly on schoolchildren and worshippers.
Key Legislative Proposals
Kalu explained that the proposed legislation would form part of the House’s priority agenda over the next six months. Its core measures include:
Criminal penalties for officials who negotiate ransom or authorise unstructured amnesty deals.
Mandatory prosecution of all banditry suspects through the criminal justice system.
“The foundation of what we need to do now is anti-banditry resolution,” Kalu stated. “We must legally prohibit ransom negotiation and ensure that criminals face proper justice, rather than informal amnesty arrangements.”
Call for Strengthened Policing and Security Measures
The Abia-born lawmaker emphasised the urgent need for better policing and security reforms, including the creation of state or local police units.
He stressed that with modern equipment and enhanced manpower, security agencies, especially the police, could respond more effectively to crimes across the country.
The session comes as Nigeria faces a wave of insecurity, with gunmen abducting children from schools and worshippers from places of worship.
Government Response
Following the renewed attacks, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has directed security forces to tackle insecurity decisively.
Among measures taken, VIP protection officers have been redeployed to frontline duties, and the president has postponed foreign trips to focus on the crisis.
Kalu’s proposal aligns with wider government efforts to curb banditry and ensure accountability for officials who might inadvertently encourage ransom culture.