The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has proposed legislation to punish government officials who negotiate ransom payments in kidnapping cases. He announced that the law should be passed within six months.
Kalu said the proposal would criminalise any official who negotiates ransom or authorises unstructured amnesty deals with kidnappers. He described it as part of a broader anti-banditry resolution to strengthen Nigeria’s response to insecurity.
Under the proposal:
• Suspected kidnappers or bandits would face mandatory prosecution through the criminal justice system.
• Criteria for disarmament or amnesty would be clearly defined.
• The House would investigate past incidents of ransom negotiation involving officials.
Kalu also urged the strengthening of policing, including the establishment of state and local police forces equipped with modern tools to combat crime effectively.
He argued that banning ransom negotiations by officials would reinforce the rule of law, discourage kidnappings, and compel authorities to pursue proper criminal justice processes rather than informal settlements.
Observers warn that enforcing the law could be challenging, as proving ransom negotiation by officials may be difficult. Analysts also note that the law’s success depends on improved security operations to ensure hostages are safely rescued without resorting to ransom payments.
If passed, the legislation could fundamentally change how the government deals with kidnappings, making officials legally accountable for interacting with kidnappers and reducing reliance on ransom payments as a resolution tool.
