Declaring that his administration will label kidnappers as terrorists, President Bola Tinubu promises to “get rid of them.”
Following a recent wave of kidnappings around the nation, particularly the abduction of hundreds of school children in Kuriga, Kaduna state, Tinubu made these remarks.
“We must treat kidnappers as terrorists, in order to get rid of them, and I promise you, we will get rid of them,” Tinubu vowed on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner at the State House, Abuja, with members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
This was revealed in a statement signed on late Tuesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu: We must treat kidnappers as terrorists.’
He branded what he called the abhorrent activities carried out by kidnappers across the country, saying that those who abduct children are cowards who are unable to face the strength of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets.
“They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them,” said Tinubu.
Regarding the judicial officer salary review, the President promised that his administration would keep putting the required reforms into place to enhance the welfare and working circumstances of judicial officers.
“I recognise that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernise equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow.
“When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.
“While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all,” the President stated
Tinubu acknowledged the judiciary’s contribution to maintaining the legitimacy of the judicial branch of government and conveyed his appreciation for their committed service to the country.
“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn,” he concluded.
The President of Nigeria was praised by the Chief Justice of Nigeria for his commitment to judicial reforms, for enhancing the welfare of judicial officers in the nation, and for the honor of inviting them to a Ramadan meal.
“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully.
“We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” Ariwoola prayed.
In addition, he praised the administration for accomplishing an unparalleled feat by nominating all 21 justices to the Supreme Court.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, thanked the President for sending the executive bill to the National Assembly, titled “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc., Bill 2024.”
Pointing out that judges’ pay and benefits have been flat since 2007, Fagbemi applauded the President’s bravery, tenacity, and empathy for acting decisively.
“It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges.
“The President has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.
”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,” the Minister of Justice said.
Justices Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen, two former CJNs, were among the active and retired judicial officials present at the event.
