The Oyo State Government has described the life imprisonment handed down to three persons convicted in connection with the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area as insufficient, arguing that the punishment does not reflect the gravity of the crime.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, speaking in Ibadan, said the state expected capital punishment for the convicts, stressing that those who concealed information about the kidnappers were as culpable as the perpetrators themselves.
“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 stated.
Despite its reservations, the government said it would respect the Federal High Court’s judgment and would not appeal the sentence. Oyelade, however, praised the court for the speedy trial, describing it as a positive signal for Nigeria’s justice system.
He called for a review of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism and
