The National Assembly is considering a bill that would impose the death penalty for individuals found guilty of vandalizing national assets.
Senator Adamu Aliero, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and current Senator from Kebbi State, revealed that the National Assembly is concerned about the persistent damage to critical infrastructure such as power installations, railway tracks, and airport facilities.
According to Senator Aliero, the proposed legislation aims to make vandalism a criminal offense, with the potential for the death penalty as punishment for those caught sabotaging public infrastructure. The lawmakers believe this severe penalty could significantly reduce incidents of vandalism.
Honorable Blessing Onuh, a member of the House of Representatives, has also suggested the installation of anti-theft mechanisms to prevent the vandalism of national assets.
The need for such measures has been highlighted by recent incidents, including the apprehension of suspects caught with truckloads of stolen railway tracks, as well as the Minister of Transportation's attribution of train derailments to the tampering of rail lines by vandals.
The Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation are working to enhance surveillance and security measures to protect the country's critical infrastructure from further damage.
