Nigeria, Dec. 4 -- A bill seeking to amend Nigeria's Anti-Terrorism Act to impose death penalty without the option of a fine for all kidnapping offences has passed second reading in the Senate.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage during Wednesday's plenary after a majority of senators supported it through a voice vote.

Following its passage, the bill was referred to the Senate Committees on Human Rights and Legal Matters, National Security and Intelligence and Interior for public hearing. The committees were directed to report back within two weeks.

The bill, titled "Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB.969)," was sponsored collectively by all the senators and presented by the Sen...