The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have criticized the reintegration of so-called repentant bandits into society and security structures, describing the practice as an affront to justice and a disservice to victims of violent crimes across the country.
The bishops made their position known in a statement issued amid growing concern over the continued captivity of 39 learners and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State more than a month ago.
In the statement jointly signed by the President of the province, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, and Secretary, Most Rev. Anselm Lawani, read by Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Diocese, the clerics argued that government efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former bandits while victims and their families continue to endure pain, trauma and uncertainty send a dangerous signal to society.
According to the bishops, such policies undermine public confidence in the justice system and risk encouraging further criminality.
“The ongoing reintegration of so-called repentant bandits into the security agencies and society, while treating victims of crime and their relatives with neglect or outright disdain, rubs dirt on the face of justice,” the statement read.
The church leaders maintained that true justice requires that kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals be made to face the full consequences of their actions rather than being rewarded with rehabilitation programmes.
They warned that failure to hold perpetrators accountable could embolden others to take up arms against innocent citizens and the state.
The bishops linked their concerns to the worsening security situation in Nigeria, citing the prolonged captivity of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers as evidence that victims often bear the burden of insecurity while perpetrators appear to receive sympathy and opportunities for reintegration.
While calling for the immediate release of the abductees, the bishops urged both the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring public safety and confidence.
They also advocated comprehensive security reforms, including improved intelligence gathering, effective policing of forests, deployment of modern technology and the establishment of state police to enhance grassroots security.
According to the bishops, the creation of state police would enable quicker responses to local security threats, improve intelligence gathering at the community level and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and residents. They argued that state-controlled policing structures, with appropriate safeguards and oversight, could help address the unique security challenges faced by different regions of the country.
The clerics stressed that national healing and unity cannot be achieved without justice, accountability and adequate support for victims of crime.
They concluded by urging government at all levels to prioritize the welfare of victims and ensure that those responsible for acts of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The bishops also called on Nigerians to continue praying for the safe return of the Oriire abductees and other victims of insecurity across the country.
