Boko Haram members deserve death sentence – Ex-Minister

A former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, has called for death sentence for members of Boko Haram, who, he said, have held the nation to ransom.

Agada said they deserved the highest punishment in the land for killing innocent citizens.

He spoke with our correspondent on Saturday in Abuja during the public presentation of three books: ‘Secrets for building lasting wealth,’ ‘Pathways to wealth’ and ‘Wealth Capsules’ written by a businessman and Assistant Pastor the DUNAMIS Gospel Centre, Karo-Abuja.

He said, “The greatest punishment in the land should be given to such people, especially Boko Haram members. Killing, maiming, harassing and making people useless in the name of making people accept what you think should be your belief is unthinkable and nobody should give any thought to such people.

“They are no reasons for you take the life of another human being for whatever reason you think you have. So the type of punishment that should go to such people should be the highest on ground. 

“Whether capital punishment or whatever, nothing will be too small for them because to take another person’s life in the name of ethnic militia should not come to play at all.” 

According to him, there is no point of divergence between the administration of the late Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan concerning security breaches.

Agada, who was minister during Yar’Adua’s tenure, added that the security situation as at then had not degenerated to such a poor level “as we have at the moment.”

He said, “But of course that depends on the time. But at least even though there were security breaches, it was not as we have at the moment. It is unfortunate; nobody feels happy about it. 

“That is what is happening at the moment and there is no reason for it. For instance, after the time I was minister during the administration of Umaru Yar’Adua, another President has come. There should be reason for everybody to cooperate with whoever is our President, it is not a question of may be because the President was from one geographical region or another. 

“I am saying this giving regard to people who had boasted that they will make the country ungovernable for Mr. President if somebody didn’t win the last election. With the way things are happening now it sounds unreasonable for some people to make the country ungovernable for the person who is at the helm of affairs. The rate of insecurity is at the highest level and it is not good for the country.”