Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for government officials who engage in ransom negotiations to face criminal sanctions as part of a legislative push to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. Speaking at a special House session on national security, Kalu unveiled a six-month legislative roadmap aimed at dismantling banditry networks and strengthening the criminal justice system.
“Our top priority is an anti-banditry resolution that will outlaw ransom negotiations and replace unstructured amnesty programmes with strict criminal justice procedures,” he said.
Under the proposed framework, any government official who negotiates ransom payments or approves irregular amnesty deals would be criminally liable. The plan also mandates comprehensive legal action against all individuals involved in kidnapping, violent attacks, or related crimes. Kalu emphasized the need for increased federal intervention, creation of state and local police units, and provision of modern equipment to boost the capacity of security agencies. The framework seeks to enforce strict accountability, ensuring that security policies are implemented effectively and that officials cannot bypass legal procedures for ransom settlements.
The session comes amid a spike in kidnappings and violent attacks across Nigeria, including recent abductions of schoolchildren and worshippers. In response, President Bola Tinubu has intensified security operations, withdrawn police details from VIPs, and suspended foreign trips to focus on domestic security.
“Nigeria’s security crisis requires decisive and immediate action,” Kalu declared, urging lawmakers and key stakeholders to support legislation that enforces accountability and strengthens the nation’s response to ongoing threats.
