Why Nigerians Should Stop Paying Ransom to Kidnappers, Defence Minister Speaks
- The federal government has urged Nigerians to desist from raising funds to pay ransom to kidnappers and bandits
- Muhammadu Badaru, the minister of defence, who made the call on Wednesday, said such would encourage the bandits and kidnappers to put pressure on the hostages
- Badaru noted that the activities of the bandits in Abuja suburbs were due to the military operations in the northwest and some parts of the north-central
FCT, Abua - The federal government, through the minister of defence, Muhammadu Badaru, has called on Nigerians to stop paying ransoms to bandits and kidnappers.
Badaru spoke while addressing journalists after the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday, January 17, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Source: Twitter
How Nigerians encourage kidnapping and banditry
According to The Punch, Badaru maintained that the payment would make the kidnappers and bandits make more demands and threaten the safety of the Nigerian public.
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The defence minister added that President Bola Tinubu, with service chiefs, at a meeting on Tuesday, January 16, already ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to fish out the criminals hurting the society.
He stressed that there had been concerted efforts by the security agencies to stop the criminal acts across the country.
Why bandits and kidnappers are moving to Abuja
Badaru also attributed the security situation in the FCT to ongoing military operations in the northwest region and some parts of the north-central. He said states experiencing such operations include Kaduna and Niger.
The minister stressed that raising funds to pay the ransom would worsen the security situation in the country.
His statement reads in part:
“The bandits are fleeing, and they are getting shelters around these areas, and the security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement, and finish this thing once and for all.”
Lawyer reacts to the release of the Abuja girls' victims
While reacting to the comment, Okanlawon Gaffar, a lawyer, told Legit.ng that the government was right and that the idea of crowdfunding would encourage the bandits to mount pressure on victims as well as others who were thinking of banditry as an option.
He said:
"I think the government is right on this matter. Though it is understandable that the family would be eager to get their daughters released, and many would support the idea because no one can guarantee their return alive. However, I belive the police will handle the case better.
Kidnapping, killings in Abuja: "We are not sleeping", Wike
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, reiterated his commitment to secure Abuja and its environ.
The minister said he would not rest on his oars until the country's capital is secured, adding that he and the area council chairmen are working to address the situation.
Wike's comment followed the recent outcries that trailed the killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and Folasade Ariyo by their kidnappers.
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Source: Legit.ng
