By George Mgbeleke

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and other Human rights Activists have rejected a proposal before the Senate seeking to impose the death penalty for kidnapping by classifying the offence as an act of terrorism.

The opposition was expressed on Thursday at a public hearing organised by the Senate Joint Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior on a Bill to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The proposed amendment seeks to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as terrorism and to prescribe the death penalty without an option of fine or alternative sentence.

Leading the objections, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), warned that capital punishment would not deter kidnapping and could, in fact, worsen Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to Fagbemi, the inclusion of the death penalty risks creating a “martyrdom effect”, especially in cases linked to extremist ideologies, where executions are viewed as validation rather than punishment.

“While we share the National Assembly’s determination to eliminate terrorism and violent crime, we must avoid measures that are emotionally appealing but strategically counterproductive,” the AGF said.

He also cautioned that the proposal could weaken international cooperation, noting that many countries would refuse to extradite suspects facing the death penalty, thereby allowing high-profile suspects to evade justice.

The AGF further pointed to Nigeria’s long-standing challenges with implementing capital punishment, including governors’ reluctance to sign execution warrants, prison congestion and the danger of radicalisation within correctional facilities.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also faulted the Bill, calling for a mandatory human rights impact assessment for all legislation before passage.

While acknowledging the legislature’s concern over rising kidnappings and violent crimes, the Commission said the Bill raised “serious constitutional, legal and policy concerns” and could undermine internationally recognised human rights standards.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) urged the Senate to adopt a more measured approach, recommending that kidnapping be classified as terrorism only in cases involving organised criminal or terrorist networks or where there is clear intent to intimidate the public or coerce the government.

The NBA proposed replacing the mandatory death penalty with discretionary sentencing, including life imprisonment, and introducing graduated penalties that reflect the degree of harm, the offender’s role and the outcome of the offence.

Other organisations, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), also raised reservations about the proposed amendment.

Former United Nations Human Rights Envoy and Professor of Human Rights Law at Bournemouth University, Professor Uchenna Emelonye, described the submissions at the hearing as a significant moment in Nigeria’s legislative discourse.

“Expanding the death penalty will not stop kidnapping,” Emelonye said. “What Nigeria urgently needs are institutional reforms, intelligence-led policing, effective prosecutions, improved border security, arms control and victim-centred justice.”

He warned that widening the scope of capital punishment in a criminal justice system prone to investigative gaps increases the risk of wrongful convictions without delivering real security benefits.

The Senate committees said all submissions would be carefully reviewed and reflected in their report as deliberations on the Bill continue.

By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued one kidnap victim, neutralized two suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition.

According to press release, from the office of the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Supretendent of Police, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command achieved such a remarkable breakthrough, prior to its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

In the daring operation, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) Emohua Annex, acting on a tip-off, successfully rescued the kidnapped victim, (name withheld) ‘F’, of Omademe Community, who was abducted on Friday, December 5, 2025, along Ozuaha Road, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to reports from the victim’s brother on December 9, 2025, seeking assistance in securing his sister’s release, the abductors had demanded a ransom of #1.2m. (one million, two hundred naira) only,
threatening to kill the victim, if the payment was not made promptly.

The Police Operatives, determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, swiftly mobilized and executed a carefully planned operation to rescue the victim.

At about 1130hrs, the Police team, led by seasoned Operatives, utilizing intelligence led operations, covertly stormed the kidnapper’s hideout located in a forested area, off Ozuaha Road and met the suspected kidnappers sharing the ransom.

Upon sighting the Police Operatives, the heavily armed suspects, opened gunfire, leading to a fierce exchange of gun battles.

The Police in rare display of determination, bravery and professionalism, neutralized two of the kidnappers, while others fled into the forest with varying degrees of gun shot wounds.The victim was rescued unhurt, and part of the ransom recovered.

Other exhibits recovered at the scene include: one Pump-Action rifle, five live cartridges, two expended cartridges and one locally-made Pistol.

According to the statement, all the exhibits are currently in Police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has commended the bravery and dedication of the Operatives involved in the operation, who put their lives on the line, to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

He reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the state, urging anyone with credible information about the fleeing suspects to come forward and assist the Police.

The CP further directed that the investigation be expedited, and the fleeing suspects apprehended, recover the remaining ransom and bring the suspects to justice.

“The RiversState police command will continue to work tirelessly, to ensure that the state remains a safe and secure place for all residents and visitors. ###.

By Anietie Ekong

Over the weekend the internet was abuzz with the “news” that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio had suddenly collapsed, rushed in an air ambulance and flown to London where he was admitted into the intensive care unit of an unnamed London hospital. They claimed he was battling for his life in London.

Those who peddled this rumour and obviously fake news could swear that they saw when the Senate President allegedly collapsed while others said they heard it from their “sources” in London.

Indeed the rumours about Akpabio’s health status has become a periodic pastime and an industry of its own. Two years ago, immediately after a colloquium at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, with President Bola Tinubu in attendance, to mark his 61st birthday, the same rumour mill took over: Senator Akpabio had collapsed and was rushed to London. The following day, it became like a miracle that the same man they claimed was receiving treatment in London, showed up and met with the Senate Press Corps. The rumour died down, albeit temporarily.

Few months back the same narrative was reinvented by people whose only job is being authority of fake news concerning the health status of Senator Akpabio. Again they said he was hospitalzed in London. Live videos with fellow Senators could not convince the doubting Thomases that Senator Akpabio was hale and hearty until his return to Nigeria few days later.

Then the last weekend episode. The peddlers of these fake news are not even creative. Same story, same narrative: Akpabio had collapsed and was rushed to the hospital in London. How many times does Akpabio have to collapse and rushed to London in a year?

When the “news” first filtered in, I wondered who they were talking about. Was it the same Godswill Akpabio, my boss, whom I had had a long chat with on Friday night cum Saturday morning or was it someone else? Was he chatting with me from the intensive care unit of the London hospital?

The most dangerous of these fake news carriers are those who repost the “news” with their fake sympathy: “Pray for Akpabio”, “I wish him quick recovery,” “Nothing must happen to Akpabio.” “May God heal him.” In the voice of Chief Nyesom Wike: fake, fake, fake.

As with everything Akpabio, bloggers jumped into the fray to drive traffic to their social media pages, and earn some dollars in the process. They did live videos and one even said Akpabio had “kpai” in London.

I had only one word for Journalists who reached out to me to “confirm” this story: don’t take my denial for it, wait till Tuesday and see who would preside over the Senate plenary.

Then on the first legislative sitting day of the week, the same man they claimed was battling for his life in an intensive care unit of a hospital showed up and presided over an extended plenary that lasted well into the evening, where major decisions were taken by the Senate without showing any signs of distress.

With these kind of satanic rumours and fake news, how can someone argue against the regulation of the social media to prevent the anguish these cousins of the devils bring to people and their families through peddling and sharing fake news. The fake news carriers never said never. As early as tomorrow they can cook another one again.

We wait till the next episode.