The Federal Government has again stressed that it does not pay ransom to secure the release of abducted victims, saying security agencies rely on sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations to rescue those held captive.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa made the clarification during an interview with BBC Hausa monitored in Kaduna, amid widespread public belief that ransom payments are often involved in freeing kidnapped victims, particularly schoolchildren.
“The federal government does not pay ransom. Even if others do, the federal government does not. We do not pay ransom,” Musa said. He explained that victims are usually freed as a result of continuous operations by security forces. “People only assume ransom is paid. For instance, when children are kidnapped from schools, soldiers go into the forest and apply pressure on the bandits until they flee and abandon the children, who are then recovered. There is no issue of paying ransom,” he stated.
The minister urged families and communities to promptly report kidnapping cases to security agencies rather than negotiating directly with abductors. “If someone is kidnapped, it should be reported to the security agencies so appropriate action can be taken,” he said.
Musa also warned communities against any form of engagement with bandits, including supplying them with food or other items. “We consistently advise people to stop dealing with bandits and to stop selling food or drinks to them,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of public cooperation, describing citizen-provided intelligence as critical to defeating banditry. “People should understand that when you sell food to bandits and accept their money, you are eating blood money, and that is not good,” he added.
The defence minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace nationwide, noting that sustained military action, supported by public cooperation, remains the most effective strategy. He also cautioned state governments against entering peace deals with bandits, warning that such agreements are often deceptive and undermine national security efforts. Citing Katsina State, Musa said the Federal Government had advised against negotiating with armed groups.
He further warned that paying ransom only strengthens criminal networks and encourages more abductions. “We strongly oppose ransom payments because they fuel kidnapping for profit. That is why we urge people to stop paying ransom,” he said, adding that the government’s ultimate goal remains the restoration of lasting peace across the country.
