What Nigerians say about amnesty to kidnappers, robbers

Amnesty to criminals is fast becoming common in Nigeria. In 2016 hundreds of militants were granted pardon in Rivers State where leaders of various units of cult groups in different towns denounced their membership. There were also cases of kidnappers and

Lengshak Gomwalk, 33, businessman, Jos, Plateau State or me amnesty should never be granted to armed robbers and kidnappers. When we do that, we pamper them and that will only encourage others to do same. When our laws prescribe punishments for offenders, those who enforce these laws should be careful not to turn them into a list of riddles. Crime should be punished, period.

FOAbdulmutalib Mohammed Bello, 31, lecturer, Jos, Plateau State

Well, since robbery and kidnapping are not a form of agitation and it’s not carried out to persuade government to change its policies, I feel robbers and kidnappers should not be given amnesty. They should be prosecuted, reformed and then pardoned if need be. ur president has said that he wants to fight corruption. Are the kidnappers and armed robbers not corrupt too? If that’s the case, then what is the difference between the old government and the new? If you give criminals amnesty, how will the country move forward? This is the wrong step to take. It will only encourage others to do it too. The only hope for this country is just God now. Abdullahi Shuaibu, 45, security guard, Jabi, Abuja irstly, I think it is important to say that whatever steps this government is taking, I hope it will benefit the country and they will not make grave mistakes while doing so. But I must say some actions have been disastrous, so I hope they will turn around to prove us wrong. Peace is all we want in Nigeria. But pardoning kidnappers, armed robbers and people that cause unrest is uncalled for and wrong. It will only worsen the problem and they will end up recruiting more and more. Even if it is a child, if he does wrong and you don’t give an appropriate punishment, he will go back to doing it over and over again.

FMuhammad Kabiru, 33, shoe seller, Utako, Abuja hoever has the intention to cheat or cause harm to someone should not be given amnesty and be allowed to roam freely in the society. They should be punished accordingly, whether it is a prison sentence or the death penalty. If the culprits are not brought to justice they will continue doing what they are doing. But once they are imprisoned and released after their sentence, they will consider it a lesson and not go back to it.

W