President Bola Tinubu has strongly denounced the actions of kidnappers across Nigeria, asserting that those involved must be regarded and dealt with as terrorists.
He made this declaration during a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.
During the event led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Tuesday, Tinubu reiterated the government’s determination to combat banditry and kidnapping, labeling perpetrators as cowardly individuals who target vulnerable citizens.
”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools, kidnap children, and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them,” Tinubu stated.
Furthermore, the President pledged to continue implementing reforms to enhance the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers, recognizing the challenges they face and their crucial role in upholding justice in the nation.
”I recognize that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow. When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement. While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all,” he added.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their dedicated service and emphasized the importance of mutual support in advancing Nigeria towards a brighter future.
In response, Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola commended the President for his commitment to judicial reforms and expressed optimism for the nation’s progress under his leadership.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, also thanked Tinubu for his efforts in addressing the long-standing issue of judges’ salaries, acknowledging the significant increase proposed in the executive bill forwarded to the National Assembly.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to combat security challenges and enhance the judiciary’s effectiveness, Tinubu’s call to treat kidnappers as terrorists underscores the seriousness with which his administration approaches the issue, signaling a decisive stance against criminal elements threatening the nation’s peace and stability.
