The United Nations Children’s Fund Representative (UNICEF) in Nigeria Ms Cristian Munduate said she is scared that bandits are not apprehended and tried in courts for committing heinous crimes against humanity.
She stated this while briefing the media yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, preparatory to the commemoration of World Humanitarian Day.
She urged the federal and state governments to enhance their judicial systems to ensure proper prosecution of bandits for their various crimes before the courts of law.
“It scares me that bandits are not taken to courts in spite of the fact that they have been assaulting and killing children and women; abducting and raping.
“It scares me that no laws are applied to prosecute and punish them.
“If there is any legal process, I think there is the need for proper punishment for these people legally,” she said.
She said it is “unacceptable” that governments had not taken drastic actions against those who abducted schools children, killed women and teachers, and raped young schoolgirls.
She called for proper strengthening of judiciary systems and warned that the barbaric act should stop so that children could go to schools without fear of being kidnapped or raped.
“So, yes it is bad. You can read these on a daily basis on the number of attacks on the community and schools. Just a couple of days ago, teachers were attacked and unfortunately, they were murdered. This aspect requires immediate action.
“It is not acceptable that bandits are not taking to courts and they have been assaulting, killing children and women; abducting and raping etc. It scares me; if there is any process, I think there is no proper punishment for these people legally.
“We have international laws and also a legal system. Of course, the country has their national laws and these laws have to be applied,” she added.
