Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has proposed new legislation that would make it a criminal offence for government officials to negotiate ransom payments in kidnapping cases. He expressed confidence that the bill should be passed within the next six months.
Kalu said the legislation seeks to outlaw any form of ransom negotiation or unauthorised amnesty arrangement with kidnappers and bandits, noting that such practices undermine national security efforts. He described the proposal as a key component of a broader anti-banditry framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to insecurity.
According to Kalu, the proposed law would:
- Mandate the prosecution of all suspected kidnappers and bandits through the formal criminal justice system.
- Clearly define criteria for disarmament or amnesty programmes.
- Empower the House to investigate past cases in which government officials allegedly negotiated ransom payments.
He also called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s policing structure, including the creation of state and local police forces equipped with modern technology to enable quicker and more effective responses to crime.
Kalu argued that prohibiting officials from negotiating ransom would reinforce the rule of law, deter kidnappers, and ensure that security agencies focus on lawful rescue operations rather than informal settlements.
If enacted, the bill would significantly reshape government engagement with kidnapping cases, placing legal accountability on officials and reducing reliance on ransom payments as a conflict-resolution strategy.
