The Federal Government has cautioned that imposing the death penalty on terrorists and kidnappers will not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated this on Thursday at a public hearing on amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, organised by relevant Senate committees.
Fagbemi opposed a Senate proposal seeking mandatory death sentences for kidnapping-related offences, warning it could embolden extremists. “From a tactical perspective, it is our view that the proposal to include the death penalty for convicted terrorists should be reviewed, because it inadvertently facilitates the ‘martyrdom’ trap,” he said, adding that executions may validate extremist ideologies rather than deter them.
He also warned that capital punishment could hinder international cooperation, as foreign countries may refuse extradition. “By including this provision, we may inadvertently create a safe haven abroad for the very masterminds we seek to bring to justice,” Fagbemi said.
He further cited governors’ reluctance to sign execution warrants and the risk of irreversible judicial errors.