Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the immediate prosecution of suspects arrested over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that justice must be served without delay.
Speaking during plenary at the Senate on Wednesday, Ningi stressed that those linked to the crime should not only face trial but also be publicly paraded to demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The lawmaker warned that prolonged delays in prosecuting the suspects could create the impression that the authorities were unwilling to pursue justice.
“Now that we have people arrested, they must be paraded, prosecuted and allowed to face the full weight of the law,” Ningi said.
He added that swift legal action would send a strong message to criminal elements and discourage similar crimes in the future.
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“Delayed prosecution will create another impression that something is wrong. I therefore call on the security agencies to prosecute, parade, and use them as an example,” he stated.
The senator’s remarks followed the recent rescue of pupils and teachers who were kidnapped by gunmen from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School, and Community Grammar School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims had spent 56 days in captivity before regaining their freedom on Friday during a coordinated rescue operation carried out by a joint team of security operatives.
The Senate had earlier commended the security agencies for the successful rescue mission while continuing discussions on measures to strengthen security and protect schools across the country from future attacks.