Nigerian judges letting terrorists have things easy, risking soldiers’ lives: Defence Chief
The chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa, has advocated stringent punishment for politicians and other actors financing terrorism amid resurgent attacks in different parts of the country.
“We have to review our legal system because some of the punishment and prosecution of terrorists are too soft,” said the CDS. “We must also review punishment for offences. The laws on terrorism have to be stringent. In some instances, it’s because of politics.”
However, the defence chief noted further concern.
“Some individuals don’t also want peace. When there is peace, it shows the government is doing well and where there is no peace, it shows the government isn’t doing well.
“You realise that last year, we had a least number of deaths, then how come this year suddenly things have gone up because politics is coming in and elections are coming.
“So you can’t rule out the fact that some people ensure that there is no peace,” said the defence chief.
As an intervention, Mr Musa called for special courts to ensure the speedy prosecution of terrorism cases.
“Maybe we should have special courts that will treat terrorism cases as quickly as they are. As long as we keep on arresting and handing over terrorists to go to the legal system, it becomes a problem,” said Mr Musa. It takes a longer time to prosecute terrorism cases.”
The defence chief added, “For example, you risk your life to make an arrest and you are told (there is a) technical problem. Do you think that soldier will be ready to sacrifice himself again? That’s the problem.”
According to him, terrorists and kidnappers work together to make money and ensure communities are unsafe.
“Criminals work together. Terrorists and kidnappers synergise their efforts to ensure communities are not safe,” said Mr Musa. “Some of them have funds coming for them from outside. The local financiers recruit some individuals, provide motorcycles for them and these ones remit funds to them daily. It is important for us to track this money.”
Mr Musa said both the intelligence and financial teams in the security sector are working harmoniously to ensure the arrest and prosecution of terrorists and their financiers.
“The NFIU has been doing great. Apart from the intelligence sector, the financial leagues are also being followed through and through and arrest has been made.
“The DSS, NIA and NFIU are all working assiduously to ensure political elements behind terrorism are arrested and exposed. Again, it has to do with the legal system especially legal intercepts,” Mr Musa explained.
