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President Bola Tinubu has again directed security agencies and defence ministry that on no condition should ransom be paid by government to kidnappers, bandits or any criminal elements for the release of the abducted persons.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja on Wednesday
This is coming on the heels of the reported cases of kidnapped children in Kaduna State, who are still held under captivity by their abductors that are demanding billions of money for their release.
According to Idris: “In council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the ministry of defence to ensure that those 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 for 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 will be put out there.”
Commenting on the increasing wave of kidnapping in the country, Idris 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, in Borno and then in Sokoto.
“Of course, government is watching that very closely and not just watching, 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 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 getting some soft targets. But 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.”
Asked what specific support the United States is prepared to offer Nigeria in the rescue of the kidnapped children, the Minister said: “Talking about what support if any are we getting from other countries, specifically the US. Well, we’re aware that 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 government is still reviewing these offers and the position of government will be made known to you”.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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