The Senate passed legislation yesterday to regulate the manufacture, use, importation, sale, and possession of explosives in the country.
The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development, and Metallurgy, chaired by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, considered and adopted a report.
Section 11 of the bill to repeal the Explosives Act of 1964 and enact the Explosives Act of 2023, which was passed for third reading by the Senate on Wednesday, recommends life imprisonment without the option of a fine for anyone who unlawfully manufactures any explosives in the country.
It states that “anyone who unlawfully manufactures any explosives commits an offence and is liable to life imprisonment without the option of fine.”
Senator Adelere Oriolowo (APC, Osun), who presented the report on behalf of the committee chairman, stated that the problem of explosives use, shipment, manufacture, sale, and possession is massive.
According to the lawmaker, criminals are becoming more creative in their use of explosives to commit crimes.
He claimed that suicide bombers used explosives to kill dozens of Nigerians.
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According to him, offenders must be held accountable so that the illegality associated with explosives is kept to a bare minimum.
“The Explosives Act of 1964 was prepared to meet the situation at the time,” he said. The penalties and fines in the act were excessively light in comparison to the gravity of the offenses committed by explosive users today.
“In light of this, the bill’s passage is justified in order to halt the abuse and threat posed by its use by criminal groups, insurgents, and non-state actors.”
“The production, storage, and use of explosives should not be open to all and should be strictly regulated.” The bill’s penalties will serve as a deterrent to offenders.”
The bill is expected to be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being signed by the President.
