The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution declaring that kidnapping should be classified as a terrorist act.
Under the resolution, if passed into law, kidnapping will now carry capital punishment, hence death sentence for a convicted person.
Judges will have no discretion of option for fines and the judiciary arm of government will be mandated to adhere strictly to the law.
The Senate leader has also been instructed to bring an amendment to the Senate in the shortest possible time to enforce this law.
Lawmakers emphasized that the move is necessary to re-jig laws and ensure kidnapping is treated as terrorism, reflecting the severity of the crime.
This decisive action comes amid growing public concern over the surge in abductions across the country.