Nigerian president says kidnappers will be treated as terrorists

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has denounced the rising rate of kidnapping across the country, saying that people involved must be treated as terrorists who are clear enemies of the state.

Mr. Tinubu said this at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal Judiciary, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Nigerian leader explained that the strength of kidnappers has been degraded, adding that they look for soft targets by going to schools, kidnapping children, and causing disaffection.

He noted that kidnappers must be treated as terrorists in order to get rid of them.

Mr.Tinubu vowed to get rid of the non-state actors responsible for the unpatriotic act as he reaffirmed his pledge to keep Nigeria and Nigerians safe.

“We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly,” the president said.

“They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection.

“We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them.”

Recall that the government recently secured the release of over 100 students and staff who were kidnapped this month while in school for academic activities.

The West African country has been struggling with internal insecurity that has stretched for several years.

Before the advent of the Tinubu-led administration, Nigeria had been battling with the insurgency by the Boko Haram sect, kidnappings for ransom, killings by pro-Biafra gunmen, and other forms of crime and violence across the country.