Harrison Gwamnishu has accused Nigeria’s justice system of freeing arrested kidnappers under shady circumstances.
He said such actions weaken law enforcement efforts and destroy public trust in justice.
Human rights advocate, Harrison Gwamnishu, has taken aim at Nigeria’s justice and security institutions for allegedly freeing arrested kidnappers despite the gravity of their crimes.
In a strongly worded post on social media, Gwamnishu condemned what he called a troubling pattern in which armed kidnappers are detained only to be later released under questionable circumstances. He said the system appears compromised, often citing “settlements” or directives from higher authorities as reasons for their release.
He questioned the logic behind the practice, saying it makes the entire fight against kidnapping meaningless. According to him, the situation has reached an alarming level where those who abduct, terrorize, and traumatize citizens are allowed to walk free as though nothing happened.
Gwamnishu, who is known for his work on justice reform and support for victims of crime, said such actions devalue the efforts of law enforcement and the suffering of victims’ families.
He noted that the justice system, which should serve as a refuge for the oppressed, now seems to favour offenders. “Every sacrifice made by security agents, every sleepless night endured by victims’ families, becomes worthless when offenders face no real consequence,” he lamented.
The activist further argued that the absence of accountability encourages repeat crimes and undermines public confidence in the rule of law. He added that the persistence of kidnapping is largely due to the system’s failure to impose meaningful punishment.
Gwamnishu urged the authorities to enforce justice without bias, warning that continued compromise could erode Nigerians’ faith in both security agencies and the judiciary.
