In a report by Daily Post on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the National Assembly will reject any negotiations with terrorists and is advocating for the death penalty for kidnappers.
While screening Christopher Musa, a nominee for former Chief of Defence Staff and Defence Minister, Akpabio argued that paying ransoms only strengthens kidnappers and encourages more crimes.
He shared that during his governorship, kidnappers would often beg for mercy after being captured, acknowledging the robust security measures he had implemented. “I never negotiated with terrorists as governor; my state was so well-policed that kidnappers would plead for forgiveness, claiming they were unaware it was my state during their criminal activities. They knew I was serious about combatting kidnapping,” Akpabio stated.
He mentioned that former police commissioners, including the late IGP Arase, can confirm the success of the strict policies he enforced at that time.
The Senate President highlighted that many kidnappers are drug-dependent, making negotiations with them futile. He noted that their real intention is to stall rather than to follow through with any agreements, rendering discussions with terrorists ineffective.
Akpabio also called for a reassessment of Nigeria’s security strategies, urging a combination of both violent and non-violent measures to make the country inhospitable for criminals. He argued that implementing the death penalty for kidnappers could deter such crimes, referencing examples from other countries where harsh penalties have led to reduced crime rates.
He emphasized the necessity for Nigeria to adopt strong measures to safeguard its citizens and prevent criminal exploitation from neighboring Sahelian nations. His comments reflect the Senate’s dedication to maintaining law and order and addressing the persistent issue of kidnapping across the country.
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