A REVIEW OF THE CRIMINALIZATION OF PAYMENT FOR RANSOM IN KIDNAP CASES IN NIGERIA

Nigeria has been engulfed in a myriad of pressing security challenges, prominently characterized by the persistent scourge of abductions and kidnappings. In a proactive effort to combat the menace of kidnapping and address other security concerns in the nation, the Nigerian Senate passed the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 into law on April 27, 2023. Although yet to be assented to, the amended law prohibits and criminalizes the payment of ransom to kidnappers and makes anyone who pays ransom for the release of a kidnap victim guilty of a felony and liable on conviction to a term of 15years. The objective of this paper to analyze the implications of this recent amendment to the terrorism act, particularly its potential effects on the lives of innocent Nigerian citizens, especially kidnap victims and their families, as well as the broader national security framework. Summarily the paper found that the amendment to the act which criminalizes the payment of ransom threatens the citizens right to life and places on them the burden to secure themselves at their own expense, which ought to be the duty of the government. This paper recommends that rather than criminalize ransom emphasis should be on how to beef up the law and its implementation to enhance the security of lives and properties in the country.