The Lagos State House of Assembly is seeking to pass a law that will criminalize terrorism and other related offences, and has introduced the bill which is currently undergoing consideration.
The bill, which is titled, “A bill for a law to provide for offences related to terrorism and related offences in Lagos State,” is sponsored by Honourables Rasak Balogun, Gbolahan Yishau, Rotimi Abiru and others, who noted that the bill was auspicious and took cognisance of different acts of terrorism that were not anticipated in existing Lagos State Criminal Law, such as kidnapping as witnessed recently in the state.
Balogun said that the bill had taken care of kidnapping, hijacking, international terrorism and accomplice to terrorism, and urged his colleagues to support it.
Another member, Honourable Yishau, who also lauded the bill, said it also provided for the rights of the accused, while placing the responsibility of vigilance on the public.
He however cautioned the House to ascertain whether terrorism falls under the Exclusive or Concurrent list and whether crimes like kidnapping, murder, rape and arm-robbery could be classified as terrorism acts.
“With these made clear, we should support it for speedy passage,” he said.
Abiru, who also contributed to the debate, argued that terrorism must be condemned by all, but said the state had its limitations in handling terrorism, according to the country’s constitution.
Nigeria’s first anti-terrorism law was passed in February 2011 by the Senate, which prescribes death penalty for acts of terror including kidnapping, pipeline destruction or “similar acts that lead to the loss of life”.