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Nigeria has been bleeding because of the activities of vandals, who destroy electricity facilities, remove rail tracks, attack oil installations, remove manholes on major roads, cut protective railings on flyovers and bridges, and destroy other critical infrastructure.
In this report, some Nigerians prescribe sanctions they consider appropriate for vandals in order not only to discourage vandalism, but also stop it.
Long term incarceration is appropriate – Prof Edward Ogunleye, lecturer, EKSU, Ado Ekiti
Vandals are economic saboteurs and should be so treated. The damages by their actions occasionally go beyond financial losses to the economy. Occasionally, lives have been lost. Long-term incarceration without the option of fine could serve as a deterrent against such crimes.
However, it should be noted that vandalism goes beyond those items mentioned above. Embezzlement, diversion of funds meant for meaningful development and all similar financial crimes have similar devastating effects on the economy. There should be the political will to penalise those people involved.
Death sentence is good for vandals – Lelegite Bokolo, public servant; Yenagoa
The death sentence should be the sanction for all vandals. This is because what they are engaging in is economic sabotage that is drawing us backwards as a nation.
The death sentence would serve as a deterrent to other vandals. And also for all the buyers too, they should get a death sentence too. They are all partners in crime. It is because the buyers are available, that is why the vandals go ahead to sabotage and steal critical national assets.
10 years jail term is good for vandals – Jackson Ojo, security expert; Port Harcourt
Vandals are waging a war against the country economically. There should be punitive punishment against them. By the time they are arrested, they should not be kept in custody for a long time. There should be speedy prosecution. There should be a minimum of 10 years imprisonment for those convicted. By the time others hear that some vandals are imprisoned for such a number of years, they would retrace their steps.
A jail term of 21 years is appropriate – Prince Wiro, activist; Port Harcourt
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Vandalism is a crime that cripples business activities. I understand there are punishments against vandals in our laws. But, the punishment should be stiffer like 21 years imprisonment for any vandal convicted. The same jail term should be handed over to the receivers or buyers of vandalised property upon conviction too, to deter would-be offenders.
Vandals should be jailed for 20 years- Grace Ese Obakina, activist; Benin
As a social justice advocate, I strongly believe that destroying critical infrastructure is a serious crime that endangers lives, cripples economic growth, and sets the nation backwards. To curb this menace, I propose swift prosecution and long-term imprisonment of 20 to 35 years, depending on the severity of the damage.
Secondly, there should be a mandatory restitution and community service. Offenders should be compelled to repair or financially compensate for the damage they have caused.
In addition, they should be required to engage in community service projects related to infrastructure maintenance for not less than five years. This will serve as a strong deterrent and emphasise the gravity of their actions.
Vandals should be jailed 10 years with hard labour – Abiola Daisy Igaga, activist; Benin
I suggest vandals should be given punishments that can deter others from vandalising government’s critical infrastructure. The punishment should range from 10 to 20 years imprisonment without an option of a fine and if hard labour is still part of the code, it should be ten years with hard labour. More so, the vandals, after being caught, should be meant to fix the vandalised facilities. And until all these drastic actions are taken, they may not stop destroying government critical infrastructure.
Five years jail term without fine is good –Veronica Ogbole, journalist, Makurdi
Vandalism is a condemnable act. For the government to spend money on facilities that will make life easy for the people and the miscreants will be destroying and stealing them should not be taken lightly. I suggest they are put in jail for five years without any option of fine.
Vandals should be jailed for two years -Phoebe Atetan, journalist; Makurdi
There should be a law in the state or country to punish vandals because it’s really unheard of. While the government is trying to develop, the vandals are destroying what the government is putting in place, and if they are allowed to continue, tomorrow we would not have a place to stay. Here in Benue, the rail lines have been vandalised, electric wires have been taken off, and sewage covers are being removed. The government has to do something like fixing cameras to see the criminals and get them arrested. They should be punished according to the law, they should go to prison for two to three years or pay a fine. People steal fowl and go to prison while vandals are roaming the streets. It’s unfair. They should be punished severely.
They should strictly apply existing law – Oyesiji Arimiyau, civil servant; Ado Ekiti
There are laws already in our criminal code and other extant laws against vandalism. The important thing now is to get them apprehended and prosecute them. The communities where such installations are sited should collaborate with security agencies to watch over these facilities.
More so, those who trade in such materials should be enlightened not to buy these materials from the roadside or unknown source. There should also be a law restricting unlawful possession and/or selling of any rail and electricity cables.
