Should FG offer money to stop kidnapping?

There have been reports that the Federal Government plans to offer kidnappers amnesty, and money, to curb the crime, but the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, recently denied them. Daily Trust sought the opinions of Nigerians on the issue. Nkereuwem Etim Inyang, Public Servant, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State […]

There have been reports that the Federal Government plans to offer kidnappers amnesty, and money, to curb the crime, but the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, recently denied them. Daily Trust sought the opinions of Nigerians on the issue.

Nkereuwem Etim Inyang, Public Servant, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

It is government’s responsibility to ensure that every section of the country is peaceful. We have been hearing of clashes between cattle herdsmen and local farmers in some parts of the country, which led to the death of many innocent persons. So, if this move will bring lasting peace to affected areas, let them go on with it.

However, giving money is not the only way the herders/farmers crisis can be resolved. There is also need for dialogue. Federal Government should dialogue with the two parties as well as governments of various states, so that at the end of the day they can come up with decisions that state governments should provide special grazing areas for herders. With this on ground, there will be no need for them to move around with their cattle and destroy farm produce of the local farmers.

 

Eunice Nnachi, 30, Journalist, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

It will be encouraging people to indulge in crime. How can you compensate criminals who have killed, maimed and destroyed properties with public funds? There are some communities in this country without basic social amenities.

 

Deedee Edsintei, 54, Lecturer, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

These people are doing their own private business. If they want grazing lands for themselves, they should negotiate with state governments to give them grazing reserves. All over the world, grazing reserves are not just given, one has to acquire it. These herders are going about with their cattle killing and destroying people’s property, including economic crops. I’m afraid if they continue with that, this country may disintegrate.

 

Ibrahim Jirgi, 58, Media Consultant, Kaduna

I am not in support of giving money. How can you be giving oppressors fair playing ground? They should not be spared or given any chance. So, because the Niger Delta militants have been settled, they should also be settled? That will be a big mistake.

 

Adegoke Mercy, 35, Civil Servant, Kaduna

I do not think it is a good idea. Are people being told to go into terrorism and they will get paid?  We have many graduates looking for jobs or income to start up business. We should channel resources to developing vibrant youths.

 

Alhaji Tajudeen A. Tijjani, 72, Journalist, Rigachikun, Kaduna

I am in support of it. If people have been arrested due to violence and the government thinks of giving them pardon, it is a welcome development. But the government cannot just give them pardon and throw them to the streets again. Provision should be made for them to be able to remain in their business. We have discovered that many Fulani do not have cows now. It is the big men who buy the cows, give it to the Fulani man and give them guns. I am in support of amnesty because some of them innocently want to protect their animals and in the process, they are arrested as herdsmen because they clashed with farmers. We are brothers and I think we need to look at it from that holistic point of view and see what we can do for these cow farmers since cattle routes are no longer there.

 

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, South South President Ohaneze Youth Wing, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

It will mean encouraging evil in this country. How can you dialogue with those who are arming themselves to intimidate Nigerians and the peace of this nation? Are we trying to encourage Nigerian youths to go into crime with the aim of dialoguing with the government? Such arrangement will not be to the best interest of the country. How can the government spend taxpayers money on criminals? So many ethnic groups are agitating for other good things. Graduates are roaming the streets of this country without jobs.