The Nigerian Senate has made ransom for kidnap victims illegal.

The Nigerian senate has passed a bill that would sentence anyone who paid a ransom to free a kidnapped person to at least 15 years in prison.

Critics argue that the move is unjust because it criminalizes people who are desperate to see their relatives freed.

Anyone found guilty of kidnapping will face the death penalty or life in prison under the new law.

Nigeria has been dealing with a deadly wave of kidnappings for ransom by armed groups for more than a decade.

Before the president signs the bill into law, it must be debated and passed by the lower house, which could take weeks or months.