Police IG Seeks Death Penalty for Evans and Other Kidnappers

Police IG Seeks Death Penalty for Evans and Other Kidnappers

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Kpotun Idris has called for a nationwide amendment of existing laws to impose the death penalty on all persons convicted of the crime of kidnapping.

The police boss made the call while speaking at a dialogue session he held with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella of Situation Room, in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Idris urged that recently arrested kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimume Onuamadike otherwise known as Evans, be used to set an example to youths on the risks inherent in engaging in crime.

The IGP lamented that Evans was able to force the sum of $1million out of his victims and their families as ransom on 6 different occasions, a situation he described as being capable of luring some youths into the illegal business.

“We should start looking at punishment and the possibility of establishing special courts to address issues of kidnapping.

“On daily basis we are arresting hundreds of suspects. We should look for a way to review our laws and impose sanctions like we have in some states like Anambra, Lagos, Kano and Imo.

“We need to review those punishments, we should have a time frame for conclusion of trial of suspects,” the police boss said.

Admitting that kidnapping had become a major challenge in the country, Mr Idris however claimed that about 80 per cent of reported cases had resulted in the arrest of suspects while also hinting that more youths could be deterred from engaging in the crime with adequate punishment provided in the laws of some states.

“Imagine the case at hand, talking about Evans. He told his boys not to have landed property in either Anambra or Imo because he was aware the houses will be demolished and the boys ostracised if caught,” he said.

The Vanguard reports that the IGP has called for more funding to enable the police acquire more helicopters, patrol vans and communication gadgets to combat crime while also revealing his plan to recruit up to 30,000 policemen subject to the approval of the federal government.