Govt will pay no ransom to kidnappers, says Tinubu

Govt will pay no ransom to kidnappers, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has insisted that no ransom should be paid to kidnappers in trying to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and other people.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He spoke against the kidnap of 287 pupils and another 61 people from two communities in Kaduna State.

Borno and Sokoto states also witnessed the abduction of 300 and 15 persons respectively in the last one week.

The minister said, “In council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the ministry of defence to ensure that those of our kids that have been abducted by these criminal gangs are brought back to their homes safely.

“And Mr President has also reiterated his zero tolerance to payment of ransom. That was also mentioned by Mr. President at the council today. So the security agencies are working round the clock.

“So these children and people that have been abducted by criminal elements will be brought back to safety pretty soon.

“The security agencies are working hard in that direction. And Mr. President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. It is important that it be put out there.”

The minister also said, “You’re also asking about the apparent surge in this kidnapping across the country. Now, it is true that some of these are happening. We have seen what has happened in Kaduna, Borno, and then 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 it 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.

“We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also get some soft targets. But the government is not taking 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 in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.

“So it’s important to underscore that the government is not paying anybody any dime. And the government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety.”