President Bola Tinubu has stated that the federal government will not pay any ransom to secure the release of abducted victims.
Minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
The minister acknowledged the concerning rise in kidnapping incidents, citing recent cases in Kaduna, Borno, and Sokoto states.
However, he emphasized that the president has deemed this situation unacceptable and that the government will not condone abductions, kidnappings, or any form of criminality.
The government’s stance comes amid growing concerns over the escalating kidnapping crisis with criminal elements targeting vulnerable groups, including children, in search of soft targets.
Over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State, were abducted by bandits last Thursday.
Last Wednesday, suspected terrorists attacked the Buda community in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State, abducting about 61 people.
Also recently, 200 women were reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State.
The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Idris said President Tinubu had directed security agencies to take proactive measures to halt the spread of this criminal activity.
He said, “You’re also asking about the apparent surge in kidnapping across the country. Now it is true that some of these are happening, we have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno and then in Sokoto.
“Of course, the government is watching that very closely, and not just watching, but also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.
“Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that is an unacceptable situation and the government will not condone abductions or kidnappings or any kind of criminality in that direction.
“We’re seeing this happening and the government is taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this apparently.”
According to him, the security agencies are hitting back at the criminals, and that is why they are attacking soft targets.
“But government is not making any excuses. The President has directed that security agencies must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that these children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety, and also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.”
The minister further underscored the government’s unwavering commitment.
“It’s important to underscore that government is not paying anybody any dime, and government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety,” he added.
