Nigeria
The Senate in Nigeria has made recommendations to legalise death penalty for kidnappers across the country.
The suggestions come in the wake of instances of abductions and hostage-taking, mainly targeting politicians in the country, hence becoming a national cause for concern.
Nigeria's Senate calls for the death penalty to be imposed for kidnapping after recent increase… https://t.co/E6tkPn5mx8
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 5, 2016
Latest reports indicate that former government minister Iyabo Anisulowo was abducted before being freed last week.
Similar scenarios have also been witnessed involving abductions of students, workers and expatriates alike, with the kidnappers demanding for a ransom in most cases.
Earlier in the week, a state of emergency was declared in the Kaduna State due to the high rate of kidnappings that has propelled lawmakers in the country to move the motion for capital punishment.
The current sentence for kidnappers in the country is five to ten years in prison.
00:53
Mali: Dozens of passengers abducted by suspected jihadists near Bandiagara freed
01:09
Mali: More than 110 civilians kidnapped by "suspected jihadists"
01:47
Environmental Volunteering: Activists gather in Lagos ahead of World Earth Day
00:39
Nigerian chess master plays for 60 hours in bid to set new world record
01:28
Nigeria's crude oil output goes down again in March - OPEC
01:05
A Nigerian chess champion is trying to break the world record for the longest chess marathon