Stop Ransom Payment To Terrorists, Kidnappers, Others – Ribadu Begs Nigerians
Worried by the alarming rate of ransom payment by individuals and groups across the country, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has warned Nigerians against mobilising funds for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminals in whatever form.
He said payment of ransom is the engine encouraging the criminals to continue in their evil deeds and sustaining the criminal enterprise.
Ribadu made the passionate plea while receiving a fresh batch of over 60 rescued victims following intense military pressure against bandits and other criminal elements in Kaduna State.
Among the victims, who have been in kidnappers’ den for over a month, is a Deputy Director in the State Civil Service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. They are all from Zango Kataf in Southern Kaduna.
The NSA, who spoke before handing over the rescued victims, comprising 35 males and 29 females, as well as children, to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, urged Nigerians, especially families of kidnapped victims, to stop paying ransom to kidnappers.
Highlighting the danger of paying ransom to the criminal gangs, the NSA said; “Let me urge our people, families to stop giving ransom to these criminals.
“Please stop giving money to these people. The more money you give, the more you compound the problem.
“We have never given any money to any of these people. Giving money to these evil people is counter productive. The more money you give them, the more they request for more money.”
While attributing the victims’ rescue to the resilience of the armed forces that continue to track and pursue the criminals across their hideouts, the NSA expressed special appreciation to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the continued support given to security agencies to achieve these feats, saying; “Daily, we are getting our brothers and sisters rescued from the hands of these evil people. But releasing them is not the end of the matter.
“We will go after them and they will face the consequences.”
Responding, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, lauded the Armed Forces and the security forces, under the NSA’s coordination, for the untiring efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.
According to him; “We have been working day and night and I know the NSA does not sleep, all in a bid to ensure these security issues are resolved. I want to thank Nigerians for the trust they are showing and for providing information which is assisting these successes.
“They should continue to have that trust in us, give us support by providing information because information is needed to overcome these evil people.”
Speaking at the occasion, one of the rescued victims, Adesiyam Michael, expressed appreciation to security operatives for their efforts that enabled them to regain freedom
Recounting how his wife was shot in his presence by the kidnappers, he said; “These boys are young, with ages ranging from 16 to 18 years.
“They lack training, they lack education. Something has to be done to get their likes go for training because they don’t have any experience to do any other trade or skill.”
