The Chairman, House Committee on Navy and member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has called for tougher measures against kidnappers, bandits and terrorists, insisting that payment of ransom only emboldens criminal groups and fuels insecurity across the country.
Speaking during plenary at the House of Representatives while contributing to a motion on insecurity, Gagdi argued that Nigeria must adopt stronger legal and policy measures to curb the growing menace of kidnapping and banditry.
According to him, while government efforts to improve security should be acknowledged, the National Assembly also has a responsibility to provide the necessary legal framework to support security agencies in tackling the crisis.
“Payment of ransom is an encouragement for bandits to continue to brutalize Nigerians the way they want. While we appreciate government efforts to address insecurity, we must also provide legal frameworks and resolutions that will help curb kidnapping and banditry if properly enforced,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that refusing to negotiate or pay ransom to kidnappers would gradually weaken their operations and discourage the criminal enterprise.
“When you don’t pay ransom today and tomorrow, believe me, it will demoralize the bandits from continuing what they are doing,” Gagdi stated.
He also rejected the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicted terrorists, kidnappers and bandits, describing the policy as counterproductive and a threat to national security.
According to him, individuals responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians should not be rewarded with rehabilitation programmes, warning that such measures could compromise security operations.
“Government should not rehabilitate killers. There is no justification for kidnappers, bandits or Boko Haram members to be rewarded by being trained and reintegrated into society or our security system,” he said.
Gagdi expressed concern over the increasing attacks on security personnel, noting that soldiers, police officers, naval personnel, air force operatives and other security agencies continue to lose their lives in the fight against insurgency and banditry.
He questioned whether rehabilitated criminals could be providing intelligence to armed groups, thereby exposing security operatives to deadly ambushes during operations.
“Anybody who deliberately kills innocent citizens, kidnaps people, tortures them and takes their lives does not deserve another chance. Such criminals should face the full weight of the law,” the lawmaker declared.
He urged the Federal Government to review its strategy in dealing with violent criminals and adopt policies that would serve as a stronger deterrent against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism across the country.
