The Nigerian Senate has agreed to enact a law which prescribes capital punishment for kidnappers.
The Federal lawmakers adopted the recommendation after considering a report by the Joint Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence on the the unfortunate re-occurrence of kidnapping and hostage taking in Nigeria.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim said the committee in its findings observed that security agencies had not been able to effectively tackle the problem of kidnapping due to inadequate funding.
He was of the view that adequate funding would enable them procure modern technology and equipment.
The committee also observed that there appeared to be unnecessary and unhealthy rivalry amongst security agencies, leading to lack of synergy and intelligence sharing on time.
The new law is coming a day after a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and a onetime Senator, Mrs Iyabo Anisulowo, was rescued from kidnappers.
Senator Anisulowo, who represented Ogun West Senatorial district between 2003-2007 at the Senate, was kidnapped alongside her security aide in Igbogila area of Ogun state. (Channelstv)