Nigeria’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged Nigerians to refrain from paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits in light of the country’s security issues.
The Nigerian Armed Forces and other security services’ perseverance and hard work were lauded by the NSA with the victims’ successful rescue.
He made this statement on Tuesday as he received 60 abducted victims who had just been freed from captivity in Southern Kaduna’s Zangon Kataf after protracted military operations.
The victims were received at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
“Please stop giving money to these people; it is the most difficult thing we are facing,” the NSA told Nigerians.
“Many of these people (kidnap victims), their families have given money to these people (kidnappers), but it did not lead to their own release. It is we, the security forces, that have brought them out.
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“It is not the money that they are giving. These people – the more you give, the more you compound the problem for us. We have never given anybody a dime, and we don’t want people to do so.”
Ribadu claims that if Nigerians continue to pay ransom, they support the actions of kidnappers across the country.
The Nigerian Armed Forces and other security services’ perseverance and hard work were lauded by the NSA with the victims’ successful rescue.
“Let me specially commend our armed forces and security services. Their tireless pursuit of these criminals is the reason we are here today,” he noted.
Ribadu also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support of the nation’s security architecture. “Thanks to the commitment of Mr President, we are making progress daily. However, the release of victims is not the end. We will continue to pursue these perpetrators and ensure they face justice.”
The victims, who had been held for over a month, include a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The group comprised 35 males, 29 females and children.
Key phrase: paying ransom , Kidnapper and Bandits
