President Bola Tinubu has strongly denounced the abhorrent actions carried out by kidnappers across Nigeria, asserting that individuals engaged in such heinous crimes should be treated as terrorists.
The president made these remarks on Tuesday during a Ramadan dinner with members of the federal judiciary, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola.
Reaffirming the government’s determination to combat banditry, President Tinubu emphasized that those resorting to kidnapping children are cowards, incapable of facing the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“We must categorize kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly and degraded. Targeting soft spots, they enter schools, kidnap children, and create discord. To eliminate them, we must treat them as terrorists, and I assure you, we will eradicate them,” the president stated during the dinner, attended by current and retired judicial officers, including former CJNs Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen.
Regarding the review of judicial officers’ salaries, President Tinubu assured that his administration would continue implementing necessary reforms to enhance the welfare and working conditions of the judiciary.
”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 .
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed appreciation to the president for submitting the executive bill titled “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024″ to the National Assembly.
Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Mr. Fagbemi commended the president’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.
”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the president did. More than 300.3 per cent increase has been given to the judges. The president has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.
”In my short stay as the attorney-general, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,”” the minister expressed.
