No ransom payment to criminals says Tinubu

 
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday restated his orders to the ministry of defense and security agencies, stating unequivocally that the government should not use ransom to free kidnapped individuals—be it bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal groups.
 
At the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was chaired by the President and held in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation revealed this to State House media.
 
This follows news of kidnapped children in Kaduna State who are still being held captive by their captors and are reportedly asking billions of dollars to be freed.
 
He remarked, “In council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the ministry of defense to ensure that those of 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 the payment of ransom. That was also mentioned by Mr. President at the council today. So the security agencies are working around 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 the government to any of these criminal elements. It is important that it be put out there.”
 
In response to inquiries regarding the growing number of kidnappings that take place around the country, the minister declared that “you’re also asking about the apparent surge in these kidnappings across the country. Now that 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, the government is watching that very closely, not just watching but 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, kidnappings, or any kind of criminality in that direction. We’re seeing this happening, and the government is apparently taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that and then to stop the spread of it.
 
“We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also get some soft targets. But the government is not making 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 have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety.”