President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denounced the activities of kidnappers across the country, saying individuals involved in such “reprehensible acts” must be treated as terrorists.
He said this on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
He seized the moment to inform the audience of his administration’s resolve to conquer banditry. He also labeled those who resort to kidnapping children as cowards who are lack the ability to engage in a battle against the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. 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,’’ the President said.
Speaking further, he pledged that his administration would continue to chart necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers, and that the review of salaries of judicial officers is just the start.
The, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in his remarks lauded the Tinubu-led administration for achieving an unprecedented feat by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, also expressed sincere gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024” to the National Assembly.
