By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday reiterated his directives to security agencies and the Ministry of Defence that no ransom should be paid by the government to kidnappers, bandits, or any criminal elements for the release of abducted persons.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa in Abuja.
This is coming on the heels of the reported cases of kidnapped children in Kaduna State, who are still held in captivity by their abductors who are demanding billions of money for their release.
He said, “In council today, Mr President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the ministry of defence to ensure that those our kids that these criminal gangs have abducted are brought back to their homes safely.
“The president has also reiterated his zero tolerance for ransom payment, which he mentioned at the council today. So, the security agencies are working around 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 the government will pay no ransom to these criminal elements. It must be put out there.”
While fielding questions on the increasing wave of kidnapping in the country, the Minister 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 in Sokoto.
“Of course, the government is watching that very closely, and it is not just watching but also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.
Now, as 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 proactive steps to mitigate and stop this spread.
“We see that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to 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 also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.
“So it’s important to underscore that no dime, 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.”
