Illegal Explosives: Nigerian Senate Passes Bill To Imprison Manufacturers

• Nigerian Senate passes bill advocating life imprisonment for illegal explosives manufacturers.

• The bill seeks to regulate the manufacturing, use, importation, sales, and possession of explosives in the country.

• Section 11 of the bill seeks to repeal the Explosives Act of 1964 and re-enact the Explosives Act.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigerian Senate has passed a bill prescribing life imprisonment without the option of a fine for unlawful explosives manufacturers in the country.

The bill, which seeks to regulate the manufacturing, use, importation, sales, and possession of explosives in the country, was passed after the presentation, consideration, and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, chaired by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, APC, Nasarawa South.

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Section 11 of the bill seeks to repeal the Explosives Act of 1964 and re-enact the Explosives Act, proposing life imprisonment for illegal manufacturers of explosives.

The passed bill states that “any person who unlawfully manufactures any explosives commits an offense and is liable to conviction to life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

According to Senator Adelere Oriolowo, APC, Osun, who presented the report on behalf of the committee chairman, the problem associated with the use, shipment, manufacture, sale, and possession of explosives is huge.

Criminals are getting more innovative in the use of explosives to perpetrate crimes, and suicide bombers have killed dozens of Nigerians using explosives. He noted that there was a need to put offenders in their place so that the illegality associated with explosives would be reduced to the barest minimum.

Oriolowo said, “The Explosives Act of 1964 was prepared to meet the situation as at that time. The penalties and fines in the act were too mild compared to the gravity of the offences being committed by explosive users nowadays.

In line with this, the passing of the bill to checkmate the abuse and menace posed by its use by criminal groups, insurgents and non-state actors is justified.

The manufacture, storage, and use of explosives are not to be all-comers affairs and should be closely regulated. The penalties provided in the bill will serve as a deterrence to offenders.”

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The bill’s passage seeks to address the issue of unlawful manufacturing, possession, and use of explosives, which has led to the loss of lives and property in the country. The bill will need to be assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari before becoming law.

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