Prosecuting Families for Paying Ransom Is Double Jeopardy – Rep Salam
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The member representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has opposed any move to arrest or prosecute families who pay ransom to secure the release of their kidnapped relatives, describing such action as double jeopardy.
Salam stated this while contributing to a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives, where lawmakers deliberated on issues relating to kidnapping and ransom payments.
The lawmaker argued that families of kidnap victims often have no option but to negotiate for the release of their loved ones, especially when government agencies are unable to secure their freedom.
“It will amount to double jeopardy for government to arrest or prosecute citizens on account of their paying ransom to secure the freedom of their kidnapped family or friends,” Salam said.
He maintained that the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of citizens rests squarely on the government, insisting that victims’ families should not be punished for taking desperate measures after the state has failed to rescue those in captivity.
“Until government shows the capacity and the political will to rescue victims in captivity, families of those kidnapped will continue to seek alternative ways of securing the freedom of their loved ones. This should by no means attract punishment from the same government that has failed in its own duty of providing adequate security of lives and property,” he added.
Salam called for stronger efforts to tackle insecurity and improve the nation’s response to kidnapping, stressing that the focus should be on rescuing victims, dismantling criminal networks and strengthening security operations, rather than prosecuting families acting under extreme circumstances.