The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill that proposes the death penalty for individuals convicted of dealing, importing, or manufacturing hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
The bill, which amends the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, aims to tackle the growing drug abuse problem in the country.
During the deliberations, Senator Ali Ndume recommended that the punishment for drug offenses be increased from life imprisonment to death, citing international standards.
However, some senators, including Adams Oshiomhole, expressed reservations about the proposal, arguing that it was too harsh.
Despite the opposition, the Senate approved the bill, with the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, ruling that the majority vote was in favor of the death penalty.
The bill will now proceed to the House of Representatives for harmonization before being sent to the President for signing into law.
Senior anti-narcotics officers have welcomed the development, stating that it will send a strong message to drug traffickers and users.
However, they also noted that the House of Representatives and the Senate need to harmonize their positions on the amended penalty for drug offenders, as the House is proposing life imprisonment while the Senate is pushing for the death penalty.
The proposed law aims to address the growing drug abuse problem in Nigeria, particularly among youths. If passed, it will introduce stricter penalties for drug offenses, including death by hanging or other means.