The federal government has said again that it does not pay ransom for anyone who have been kidnapped.
This was because it said that security forces should use military pressure and intelligence activities to get them free.
Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defense, said this in an interview with BBC Hausa that was watched in Kaduna. People still think that ransom payments are made to liberate kidnapped victims, especially students.
“The federal government does not pay ransom. The federal government does not, even if other people do. Musa answered, “We don’t pay ransom.”
He underlined that victims who are rescued are usually let go after long security procedures.
“People only think that ransom is paid.” For instance, when kids are kidnapped from schools, soldiers go into the woods to put pressure on the criminals so they would leave the kids behind and we can get them back. He said, “There is no problem with paying a ransom.”
Musa said that paying ransom simply makes criminal groups stronger and leads to further kidnappings.
“We also don’t like it because it will make people more likely to kidnap for money if it keeps going.” He stated, “That’s why we tell people to stop paying ransom.”
He advised families and communities to tell security agencies about kidnappings instead of trying to work things out with the kidnappers.
The minister also said, “If someone is kidnapped, they should tell the police so that the right steps can be taken.”
The defense minister also told communities to stop giving food and other things to robbers.
“We always tell people not to deal with bandits and not to sell them food or drinks,” he stated.
Musa asked the public for help, saying that information from residents is essential to putting an end to banditry in the country.
He remarked, “People need to know that if you sell them food and they give you money, you are eating blood money, and that is not good.”
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to restoring peace, saying that ongoing military action and public backing are still the best ways to fight banditry.
The minister also told state governments not to make peace deals with bandits, calling them dishonest and bad for national security operations.
The minister used Katsina as an example, saying that the federal government had warned against trying to make peace with armed groups in the state.
He also said that the federal government works every day to keep the country at peace.
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