The IGP, Ibrahim Idris
The
inspector general of police has advocated for the implementation of
death penalty for all those found guilty of kidnapping.
Mr Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police, on Wednesday
urged the National Assembly to enact stringent laws on kidnapping.
The Nation reports that Idris said kidnapping is thriving because there are no laws in place to tackle the menace.
He stated these during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of the Force in Abuja.
He said: “When I went to the National Assembly, I told them
that what we need to challenge kidnapping is punishment. I think these
boys see us parade people but they don’t see them taken to court or
sentenced to death.
“In some states where kidnapping leads to death of somebody,
the penalty is death but they only see the court sentencing such persons
to 10 years or life imprisonment.
“I feel that is why they feel more relaxed and I told the
National Assembly that we need to have more stringent punishment for
kidnappers. I think that is the only way to check the menace because
they see it as child’s play.
“If you go all over the Command across the states, you would
discover that some of these youths are getting more involved in
kidnapping. Like I told the National Assembly, I believe if we can get
laws to check it, we are going to see several changes.
“In Niger Republic, a Boko Haram suspect was arrested and
within one week, judgement was passed. That sent a very strong message
that whoever that is planning to go into it should desist but here, we
have suspects year in, year out, appearing in in court and matter
continually adjourned.
“It does not serve as deterrent to them and even most of them
kept in police cells are more comfortable there. So, I think to address
the level of kidnapping in the country, a law should be passed.”
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