IGP Idris wants stringent laws to tackle kidnapping 

By Tunde Adetunji, Abuja
* To give posthumous award to Inspector killed in Kano by B’Haram 
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has urged the National Assembly to make stringent laws that would address the incessant cases of kidnapping across the country, saying kidnapping was thriving because there are no tough laws put in place to checkmate it.
Idris disclosed this on Wednesday at the Force headquarters in Abuja, during the monthly meeting with the 37 Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of the force.
He said: “When I went to the National Assembly, I told them that what we need to challenge kidnapping is punishment. I think these boys see us parade people but they don’t see them taken to court or sentenced to death.
“In some states where kidnapping leads to death of somebody, the penalty is death but they only see the court sentencing such persons to ten years or life imprisonment.
“I feel that is why they feel more relaxed and I told the National Assembly that we need to have more stringent punishment for kidnappers. I think that is the only way to check the menace because they see it as child’s play.
He added, “If you go all over the Command across the states, you would discover that some of these youths are getting more involved in kidnapping. Like I told the National Assembly, I believe if we can get laws to check it, we are going to see a lot of changes.
“In Niger Republic, a Boko Haram suspect was arrested and within one week, judgement was passed and that sends a very strong message that whoever that is planning to go into it should desist. But here, we have suspects year in, year out appearing in court and cases continually adjourned.
“It does not serve as deterrent to them and even most of them kept in Police cells are more comfortable there. So, I think to address the level of kidnapping in the country,  a law should be passed.”
Idris also added that Inspector Idris Musa who lost his life during a gun duel with Boko Haram terrorists in Kano state would be given a posthumous award for his selfless service to his fatherland.
“We need to recommend some of our men who are doing well. Musa went to the  suspect’s house, knocked at his door, the man came out, went in again and started throwing IEDs from inside. One of the IEDs exploded, affected his brain and that is what led to his death. “He would be given posthumous promotion because he deserves it. It would serve as an encouragement and moral booster to other policemen so that they can put in their best because I am sure that Musa was a very gallant officer,” he said.
On the threats issued by some groups that igbos should vacate, Idris noted that he has ordered the deployment of more men to those areas noting that the presence of police in those areas would quell tension.
“We have got some challenges between tribal groups who are threatening law abiding citizens. I sent reinforcement on two occasions to the southeast.  We have to be proactive in some of these activities. Visibility policing is one of the best approach.
“Some of these groups gave deadlines but we should not relax in order for the people to feel safe,” he said.
The IGP also tasked visiting round officers to take daily stock of inmates in their custody and get accurate data and account of those arrested nationwide, stressing that they should interact with them and know why they were arrested because this would reduce the rate of illegal detention and cases of human  rights abuses.