Nnamdi Kanu: El-Rufai’s son questions sentencing disparities in terrorism-related cases

Bello El-Rufai, member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North, has questioned what he described as inconsistencies in the sentencing of individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences in Nigeria.

Speaking during plenary on Thursday, Bello compared the 20-year jail term recently handed to an Ansaru member, Husseini Ismail, by a Federal High Court in Abuja, with the life sentence issued last week to the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“There was a conviction recently of a Boko Haram terrorist, Husseini Ismail.

“He got 20 years,” Bello said. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was convicted last week and received a life sentence.

“I don’t understand why one terrorist is getting 20 years and the other is getting life.

“It gives the impression that justice is applied differently, and that affects the problem.”

He praised President Bola Tinubu for unveiling a comprehensive national security overhaul but urged the National Assembly to ensure strict execution of the outlined reforms.

“Our challenge is not in making plans but in implementing them with clear timelines.

“This parliament must insist on those timelines,” he said.

Bello stressed the urgent need to boost the welfare of security personnel, noting that Nigeria falls short of international staffing standards.

“One police officer manages 600 Nigerians, whereas the UN recommends 1 to 400. We are understaffed.

“We must immediately increase the salaries and welfare of police officers and soldiers,” he said.

He also renewed calls for state and community policing, arguing that centralised security management from Abuja is ineffective.

“We cannot stay in Abuja and expect operations to be efficient in Benue. We must return to community policing and involve traditional leaders.

“Governors already wield significant power, so fears of abuse should not deter us,” he added.

The lawmaker further expressed concern over rising unemployment and illiteracy in the North, stating that the region is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for criminality and extremism.

“The North has a problem. We are not sending our children to school. Young people with no skills or jobs are easily influenced.

“Look at bandits on TikTok flaunting money—young people want to emulate that,” he said.

Bello warned that without adequate security, Nigeria’s economic aspirations would falter.

“No investment—foreign or domestic—can thrive without security. Our primary duty is to protect the people.

“Recruitment into security agencies must be digitised and based on actual needs, not political allocations,” he said.