Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has proposed the introduction of criminal penalties for government officials who negotiate ransom payments or approve unstructured amnesty deals for bandits.
Kalu made the proposal on Tuesday during a special session of the House on national security, where he outlined a six-month legislative plan aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to worsening insecurity.
He said the first phase of the plan includes an anti-banditry resolution that would “legally prohibit ransom negotiation and mandate criminal justice process over amnesty programmes.”
Quoting the key provision, he stated:
“Criminal penalties for government officials who negotiate ransom or authorise unstructured amnesty deals.”
Kalu added that the agenda also includes:
“Mandatory prosecution through the criminal justice system for all banditry suspects.”
The Deputy Speaker decried the escalating violence across the country, stressing that Nigeria’s security crisis now requires immediate and coordinated action.
“As you all know, Nigeria’s security challenges as it is now, demand urgent action,” he told lawmakers and participants at the session.
Kalu further called for accelerated efforts toward establishing state or local policing systems, noting that modern security equipment and improved policing capacity would significantly strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the country.
The special security session followed a spike in abductions nationwide, including the kidnapping of schoolchildren and worshippers. In response, the Federal Government has issued fresh directives to security agencies and withdrawn police personnel from VIP protection as part of broader efforts to refocus security manpower.
President Bola Tinubu has also postponed several foreign engagements to prioritize national security following the recent attacks.
