Payment of ransom encouraging bandits, kidnapping – Peter Obi

Former Anambra governor of Anambra state and Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, Peter Obi, has said the payment of ransom to bandits and kidnappers in exchange of kidnapped victims is encouraging more kidnapping.

Obi who made the statement in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the presentation of a book, ‘Made in Aba,’ an autobiography of the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in Abuja on Monday, said he disagreed with those advocating payment of ransom and granting amnesty for bandits.

“By paying a ransom, you’re paying people who aren’t productive. People are making money without being productive.

“To pay people for going into crime is unacceptable. If you’re going to pay kidnappers and grant them amnesty for committing a crime, you’re simply asking everyone to take to crime,” he said.

He said the refusal of the authorities to allow power devolution to the federating units is responsible for the growing insecurity and worsening poverty in the country.

He described Abaribe book as a preview of what people in public office should be.

Obi said; “We should always have the courage to speak against injustice, falsehood, and most importantly speaking truth to power.

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“This is very difficult in our dear country where being so could be seen as an offence; a great offence. I know that myself.

“I know what I go through when I speak in public or do any sort of interview. You will see people asking you, ‘Where did you get this figure? How did you come about this?”