The Federal Government has pushed back against opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Human Rights Commission regarding the proposed death penalty for kidnappers and bandits, insisting the punishment is lawful under Nigerian legislation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris made the government’s position clear on Monday during a year-end press conference in Abuja. He emphasized that any government action would remain within legal boundaries and consult with the National Assembly if modifications to existing laws are needed.
Under Nigeria’s new national counterterrorism doctrine unveiled this year, any armed group involved in kidnapping, farmer attacks, or community terrorization will now be officially classified as a terrorist organization. Idris stated that the government has ended what he called “ambiguous nomenclature” in dealing with such groups.
The minister defended the government’s hardline stance when addressing human rights concerns, questioning how human rights arguments apply when dealing with mass violence and random shootings. He assured that Nigerian security forces follow strict engagement protocols and international standards while collaborating with global partners.
The government has allocated N5.41 trillion to defense and security—the largest budget in Nigeria’s history—to fund modern military equipment, establish a new national intelligence architecture, and implement a secure digital border surveillance system.
Idris also mentioned that recent diplomatic tensions with the United States have been resolved through what he described as firm and respectful engagement between the two nations.
