CSO demands creation of National Ransom & Victim Compensation Trust Fund

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

A civil society organisation, People’s Against Corruption and Injustice (PACI) in Osun State, has called for the establishment of a National Ransom & Victim Compensation Trust Fund.

The chairman of PACI, Comrade Olowu Emmanuel, in a statement made available to Western Post on Friday in Osogbo, stressed the urgent need for a practical response to the rising wave of kidnappings, killings, and ransom payments forced on innocent Nigerians.

He noted that since the government has repeatedly failed in its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, authorities have, instead of addressing the growing spate of kidnappings, killings, and forced ransom payments, resorted to harassing and incarcerating citizens who criticise such failures.

Emmanuel urged the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, student unions, and all democratic forces to jointly demand the creation of the proposed trust fund.

According to him, since the government cannot secure its citizens or protect the nation’s borders, it must be prepared to pay ransom on behalf of Nigerians and provide no less than N500 million to the family of any Nigerian who loses their life at the hands of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, or armed robbers.

He insisted that Nigerians deserve more than condolences, stressing that what the nation needs is accountability, justice, and protection.

Emmanuel added, “The time has come for Nigerians to speak with one voice. The time has come for citizens to demand it.”