Insecurity: Kidnapping, Banditry Not Federal Offences — Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government on Tuesday berated the opposition party for displaying crass ignorance that kidnapping and banditry are not federal offences.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a media briefing in Abuja, said it was shocking that the opposition party ruled the nation for 16 years, yet ignorant of the legal structure. Mr Mohammed was responding to an allegation by the opposition party that kidnappers and bandits were not being brought to book by the Federal Government.

“The PDP alleged that kidnappers and bandits are not being brought to justice. This is apparently aimed at the Federal Government. The PDP should, therefore, call out the states, including those being controlled by it, to ensure a rigorous prosecution of arrested kidnappers and bandits.

Meanwhile, PDP conveniently forgot that as far as terrorism, a federal offence is concerned, this Federal Government has successfully prosecuted thousands of Boko Haram members in Kainji, as part of a continuing exercise. We are now seeking the cooperation of the judiciary to continue with the trial of arrested terrorists,’’ he said.