NIGERIA: KIDNAPPERS: AMAECHI EXPLAINS STANCE TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Nigerian Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, explained to Amnesty International why kidnapping should attract capital punishment. Amaechi, in a meeting in London with top officials of the body said "I appreciate your concerns, but what you don't know is that we are faced with a very unusual and peculiar criminality that kidnapping in the Niger Delta has become.” "Strong punitive measures must be put in place to stop these criminals from kidnapping and the law must be enforced when these crimes are committed." Amaechi said. Amnesty International's Deputy Director, Africa Programme, Tawanda Hondora, who led the team at the meeting, expressed concern over Amaechi's decision.