By James Adamu
The Oyo State Government has declared that the three convicts in the Oriire school abduction case deserved the death penalty, describing the life imprisonment handed down by the Federal High Court as a “cold comfort” that fails to match the gravity of their crime.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, made the government’s position known in Ibadan on Thursday, expressing disappointment that the court stopped short of imposing capital punishment on the trio convicted for concealing information about the masterminds behind the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“The ruling is a cold comfort. We expected capital punishment for the convicts, as that would better reflect the gravity of abducting innocent schoolchildren and teachers,” Oyelade told journalists.
The commissioner insisted that those who concealed information about the kidnappers bore the same level of culpability as those who carried out the actual abduction.
“It is myopic for anyone to try to create a wedge between the crime of concealment committed by these people and those who actually perpetrated the crime. They are one and the same,” he said.
Despite its dissatisfaction, the Oyo State Government confirmed it would not appeal the judgment, citing respect for the judicial process.
“The government will not be appealing the judgment. While we have our reservations, we respect what the law has said,” Oyelade stated.
He, however, commended the Federal High Court for the speedy trial and conclusion of the case, describing it as a positive signal for Nigeria’s justice system and proof that justice could be dispensed without unnecessary delays.
The commissioner used the opportunity to renew calls for a review of anti-terrorism and criminal laws, arguing that tougher legislation, backed by swift prosecution and effective enforcement, would provide a stronger deterrent against kidnapping and other security threats.
Oyelade disclosed that the Oyo State Government worked closely with the Federal Government, security agencies and prosecutors throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case.
On school security, he said the state had reinforced safety measures through the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, alongside other security agencies, with enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms.
The commissioner also dismissed claims that the state government had abandoned the rescued victims and their families, insisting that support for them had remained continuous.
“The situation is unfortunate and we will not drag issues with anybody. I am from Ogbomoso and Professor Alamu, the husband of the abducted school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, is my brother. I can assure you that the state government has been doing everything that needs to be done,” he said.
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