Tinubu Administration Warns Death Penalty for Kidnappers, Terrorists Could Exacerbate Insecurity

The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned that enforcing the death penalty for individuals involved in terrorism and kidnapping may worsen Nigeria’s security situation rather than improve it.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), addressed lawmakers on Thursday during a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The session was organized jointly by the Senate Committees on Human Rights and Legal Matters, National Security and Intelligence, and Interior.
Fagbemi opposed a Senate proposal that seeks to introduce a mandatory death sentence for all kidnapping-related offences under the country’s anti-terrorism law, without offering alternatives such as fines. He explained that imposing capital punishment could inadvertently strengthen extremist narratives rather than deter criminal activity.
“From a strategic standpoint, introducing the death penalty for convicted terrorists should be carefully reconsidered. It risks creating a ‘martyrdom’ effect rather than preventing violence,” Fagbemi told the senators. “Terrorist actors driven by radical ideologies may interpret executions as validation of their cause rather than a deterrent.”
The justice minister also highlighted the potential impact on Nigeria’s international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. He noted that some countries may refuse to extradite suspects if they face capital punishment in Nigeria, thereby creating safe havens abroad for high-profile offenders.
Fagbemi further emphasized the practical difficulties in enforcing death sentences, noting that many state governors are reluctant to sign execution warrants for moral, religious, or political reasons. “This reluctance has effectively created a moratorium, leaving condemned terrorists in prison indefinitely,” he said.
He also warned about the irreversible nature of capital punishment, which leaves no room for correcting judicial errors if new evidence emerges. “To preserve the moral authority of the Nigerian state, punishments must be firm yet reversible when required,” Fagbemi added.
The Tinubu administration’s position underscores the need for a balanced approach to combating terrorism and kidnapping, emphasizing legal prudence and alignment with international best practices in security and justice.