NIGERIA: BAYELSA STATE APPROVES DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa signed a law approving the death
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa signed a law approving the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, in a region were abductions by criminal gangs are common.
Kidnapping for ransom in the southern Niger Delta and offshore of the oil region is a multi-million dollar business. The vast majority of people taken are Nigerians, although foreigners are also regularly targeted.
The finance minister’s 82-year-old mother was abducted in December but released five days later. Five Indian sailors were freed last month after spending weeks in captivity.
“It is morally indefensible for young people … armed with illegal weapons … to forcefully abduct and rough handle people and take them as an article of trade,” Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson said when signing the law.
“Most people know that when I say something, I do it. I will not hesitate to sign a certificate of execution.”
Dickson said the security forces had several people in custody facing kidnapping charges.
Kidnapping for ransom in the southern Niger Delta and offshore of the oil region is a multi-million dollar business. The vast majority of people taken are Nigerians, although foreigners are also regularly targeted.
The finance minister’s 82-year-old mother was abducted in December but released five days later. Five Indian sailors were freed last month after spending weeks in captivity.
“It is morally indefensible for young people … armed with illegal weapons … to forcefully abduct and rough handle people and take them as an article of trade,” Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson said when signing the law.
“Most people know that when I say something, I do it. I will not hesitate to sign a certificate of execution.”
Dickson said the security forces had several people in custody facing kidnapping charges.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Reuters, 15/02/2013)