The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, said it was not the responsibility of the Federal Government to prosecute suspected kidnappers and bandits.
He said kidnapping and banditry
were not federal offences.
Mohammed said this at a press
conference in Abuja.
He was responding to statements
credited to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on the security challenges
facing the country.
The minister said, “The PDP
alleged that kidnappers and bandits are not being brought to justice. This is
apparently aimed at the Federal Government.
“It is shocking that a party
that ruled this nation for all of 16 years does not know that kidnapping and
banditry are not federal offences.
“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.”
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