Investigative journalist, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, has reacted to the bill prohibiting ransom payment to bandits passed by the Nigerian Senate.
Babajide discussed the recent development in a recent interview on TVC News.
Addressing the topic, Babajide said, “I do not think we need to enact laws that we cannot enforce instead of improving the protection of our people.
”We are not providing the best protection for our people. However, we think we can curb the crime of kidnapping by prohibiting people from paying ransom.
” I know that those senators will pay a ransom if any of them gets abducted. Even security operatives advise people to pay ransom.
”You will know we have issues in our country if one of your relatives gets kidnapped, as law enforcement agents would advise you to pay a ransom.
”The security operatives have given up themselves. How many times have they rescued kidnapped victims? Yet they lie about it.
“There are people who managed to escape from kidnappers’ dens into the hands of security operatives. However, security personnel lead such individuals into town and claim to have rescued the victim.
”An example of such a situation is the case of Olu Falae. We must find a way to end the rampant abductions without punishing people for trying to rescue their loved ones from captivity.
”Many of the people who were released by bandits had to pay a ransom as security operatives would only make promises. “
