President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his earlier warning to security agencies that his administration would not tolerate ransom payment to criminal elements engaged in kidnappings and abduction.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, presided by President Tinubu.
Criminal elements earlier this month in Borno State, kidnapped at least 200 mainly women and children, while searching for firewood. A few days later, in Kaduna State, less than 300km away from the country’s capital, armed men abducted nearly 300 schoolchildren.
The Minister said: “Also in council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to security agencies and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that those 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 for the payment of ransom, that was also mentioned by Mr. President in Council today.
“So, the security agencies are working around the clock. 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 the government to any of his criminal elements. I think it’s important that this should be put out there.”
Asked what specific support the United States is prepared to offer Nigeria in the rescue of the kidnapped children, Idris replied: “Talking about what support that we are getting from other countries, specifically the US, well, we’re aware that it is not just the US that has actually offered. Other countries have also offered to support Nigeria. But, what we can tell you is that the government is still reviewing these offers and its position will be made known to you.
“The reporter from Channels talked about the apparent surge in this kidnapping in 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 not just watching but also agencies are actually taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.
“Now, as I said, Mr. President has said it is not acceptable. The government will not condone abduction or kidnapping or any kind of criminality in that direction. This happened and the government is taking very proactive steps first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this.
“You know, we are seeing some kinds of movement and the more the security agents are also hitting these targets, the more the criminals 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 also 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 are abducted will be brought back to their families in safety. It is very important for us to note that.”