State says punishment doesn’t fit the crime but won’t appeal ruling
The Oyo State Government has condemned the life imprisonment handed to three individuals convicted for their role in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, calling the sentence woefully inadequate and a “cold comfort” for victims.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, expressed the state’s frustration while addressing journalists in Ibadan, insisting that capital punishment would have been more appropriate for the severity of the crime.
“The ruling is a cold comfort. We expected capital punishment for the convicts, as that would better reflect the gravity of abducting innocent schoolchildren and teachers,” Oyelade declared.
The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the three to life imprisonment for concealing information about the masterminds behind the traumatic abduction that sent shockwaves through the state.
Oyelade made it clear that the government views concealment as equally heinous as the act itself, stating: “It is myopic for anyone to try to create a wedge between the crime of concealment committed by these people and those who actually perpetrated the crime. They are one and the same.”
Despite its strong reservations, the state government said it would respect the judicial process and not appeal the decision.
However, Oyelade used the opportunity to call for a sweeping review of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws, arguing that the current legal framework falls dangerously short in tackling kidnapping and emerging security threats.
He also unveiled the state’s ongoing security measures, revealing that the Amotekun Corps and other agencies have significantly reinforced school safety through enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid response systems even where physical presence isn’t visible.
Dismissing claims that rescued victims had been abandoned, Oyelade insisted support has remained unwavering, revealing a personal connection: “Professor Alamu, the husband of the abducted school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, is my brother. I can assure you that the state government has been doing everything that needs to be done.”
The commissioner praised the court’s swift trial and conclusion, describing it as a positive signal that Nigeria’s justice system can deliver without unnecessary delays—even as he demanded tougher penalties for future offenders.
