Senator Opeyemi Bamidele further stated that, “having policies in place to combat financing of terrorism will surely reduce or eliminate privacy and anonymity in financial and other sundry transactions as it relates to the subject in our society.” He emphasized that the proposed repeal and enactment Bill was geared toward improving the effectiveness of countermeasures against terrorism, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. Noting that the repeal is aimed at providing an adequate framework for improved international collaboration, inter-agency cooperation, and freezing of terrorist funds/assets. In his words, “the passage of this Bill will save Nigeria from being included among countries in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List with its attendant negative consequences, which might ultimately result in international sanctions that would affect the image of the country in the comity of nations.”
On his part, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said after the bill was passed, that the bill would complement the federal government’s efforts in the fight against insecurity when signed into law by the President. He said, “It is our belief here in the Senate, that this bill, by the time it is signed into an Act by Mr. President, will enhance the efforts of this government in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other associated and related vices. This is one piece of legislation that can turn around not only the security situation in Nigeria but even the economic fortunes of our country. We have done so much as a government, in terms of infrastructural development across all parts of this country, but because the security situation is not the kind of situation that we all want, this tends to overshadow all the tremendous and massive developments in our country.
I believe that the Executive will waste no time in signing this bill into law, and it is our hope that this additional piece of legislation will achieve the purpose for which it has been worked upon by the Senate, and, indeed, the National Assembly and, for the reason for which it would also be signed by Mr. President. Let me make it very clear here, that the fight against insecurity, whether it is kidnapping, terrorism, or whatsoever, is not the sole role of a government”.
The bill was passed by the chamber after it scaled third reading on the floor. The Senate, thereafter, adjourned the plenary session till May 10, 2022, for the Sallah break.
Analysts consider this piece of legislation as one of the numerous Bills and Acts that are conceived and presented to the National Assembly and in turn come through the National Assembly’s processor with no deep thoughts on the wider implications of the Act when signed into law. When we criminalize payment of ransom and our security agencies have show pathetic lack of capacity to rescue our loved ones who in pursuit of their legitimate daily source of livelihood fall into the hands of these deadly dare-devil and exceedingly wicked terrorist; what options does the Nigeria Nation present for their safe return?
We are all witnesses to how determined and ruthless these sub-human Fulani Terrorists could get when they decide to press for ransom payment. For delay in payment of the ransom demanded the Terrorists killed three kidnapped Bethel School Kaduna students early last year, called their parents and directed them on where to pick up the lifeless bodies of their wards. This act was to drive home their seriousness. Could this be the option that the Senate and by extension the present APC Government of Muhammadu Buhari is presenting to us?
Some time in 2020, Fulani Terrorists strayed in Niger Republic and kidnapped an American working on a project in that country. In line with their mode of operation, the Terrorists called the company the American was working for and demanded for ransom. The company got in touch with the American Charge D’affairs in Niger Republic who in turn got in touch with their home government. Meanwhile, the Terrorists had spirited their sole victim to a forest in Zamfara State in Nigeria where they considered a safe haven. The American Navy SEALS track the Terrorists to their exact location, quietly arrived there at night, took out the six Terrorists guiding the man and went home with their national. That is a country that cares for her nationals.
In place of this Senator Opeyemi Bamidele’s bill, we want a bill that will criminalize terrorism and make it a serious criminal offense punishable by 10 years imprisonment if the security agencies in the country fails to rescue  a kidnapped citizen within a given period.  Any other Terrorism Act amendment Bill short of this, is tantamount to a sick person being diagnosed and receiving treatment from a quack doctor!
