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Senate Bans Payment Of Ransom To Kidnappers
The Legislators’ condemnation came after the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters received and analyzed a report on the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the committee’s chairman, had requested that the report be delivered to the lawmakers, after which he would bring it for consideration. The Legislators convened a committee of the whole to examine the report, clause by clause, before returning to the plenary to announce their findings.
This resulted in the third reading and subsequent passage of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, commended his colleagues on the bill’s passage, which he described as critical.
He said, “It is believed here in the Senate that this bill, by the time it is signed into Act by Mr President, will enhance the efforts of this government in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other associated vices.
“This is one piece of legislation that can turn around not only the security issues of Nigeria but even the economy of the country. I believe that the Executive will waste no time in signing this bill into law and it is our hope that this additional piece of legislation will achieve the purpose for which it has been worked upon.”
The Senate President stated that fighting instability is not for the government alone, and citizens’ participation and support are critical. He stated that the security services require intelligence in order to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and other dangers to the country’s security.
