Why Nigerians Should Stop Paying Ransom to Kidnappers, Defence Minister Speaks

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.

Ministers of Defence/Muhammadu Badaru/Bello Matawalle/Bola Tinubu/Kidnappers in Abuja
FG explains why kidnappers are operating in Abuja Photo Credit: Bashir Ahmad
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.”

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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.

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Wike's comment followed the recent outcries that trailed the killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and Folasade Ariyo by their kidnappers.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with 7 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop, Journalism AI Discovery. He previously worked as Editor with OperaNews. Legit’s Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023). Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng