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Lawmakers Demand Death Sentence For Kidnappers as Security Crisis Deepens
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday adopted a hardline stance against the rising tide of insecurity, classifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism and recommending the death penalty for offenders, with no provision for fines or sentence reductions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The resolution followed intense debate over the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. All victims were later rescued in coordinated operations involving the military, police, DSS, and local vigilantes, but lawmakers warned the incident exposed the growing reach of insurgent groups and weaknesses in rural security.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South), highlighted escalating attacks in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states, including assaults on schools, places of worship, highways, and entire communities. Senators noted that frequent school abductions have led to closures in several local government areas across Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara, as well as all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) underscored Nigeria’s manpower deficit in security agencies, noting that the country’s combined military, police, and paramilitary personnel are fewer than one million, compared with Egypt’s 1.5 million. He urged rapid equipment upgrades, improved intelligence coordination, and the creation of a reserve force to support overstretched security personnel.
Lawmakers also pointed to the role of poor road infrastructure in enabling criminals to evade capture, directing the Ministry of Works to prioritize reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba corridor. Senators agreed that kidnapping has evolved into full-scale terrorism, demanding capital punishment without judicial discretion.
The Senate further called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen national security systems, emphasizing improved coordination, technology, intelligence gathering, and rapid deployment. In a notable move, the chamber dissolved its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and the Committee on Air Force, mandating all other security-related committees to submit reports within one week.
Lawmakers also proposed federal support for registered vigilante groups and a review of firearms laws to permit controlled arming of responsible citizens.
The plenary witnessed heated exchanges over troop withdrawals prior to attacks, the adequacy of intelligence, and past security arrangements. Senators urged internal reforms, sought collaboration with international partners, and demanded accountability for orders that compromised operations. The chamber also adopted a motion commending the President and security agencies for successful rescues of abducted victims.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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