The Federal Government has once again stressed that it does not make ransom payments to secure the freedom of abducted individuals, insisting that all rescues are achieved through coordinated military pressure and intelligence-based operations.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa made the clarification during an interview with BBC Hausa, addressing widespread public assumptions that money is exchanged for the release of kidnapped persons, especially schoolchildren.
Musa firmly maintained that the government does not engage financially with criminal groups.
According to him, “The federal government does not pay ransom. Even if others do, we do not. We don’t pay ransom.”
He emphasized that many rescue operations attributed to ransom payments are actually the outcome of strategic actions by security operatives.
He said, “People only assume ransom is being paid. For instance, when students are abducted, soldiers advance into the forests, mount pressure on the bandits until they are forced to abandon the children. That is how rescues happen—there’s no ransom involved.”
The minister cautioned that ransom payments only empower criminal gangs and could escalate kidnapping cases.
He added, “We discourage ransom payments because it will only motivate criminals to continue kidnapping for money.”
Musa urged affected families and communities to promptly report abductions to security forces instead of attempting to negotiate on their own.
He advised, “If someone is kidnapped, the first step is to inform the security agencies so we can take proper action.”
Furthermore, he warned citizens to cease all forms of interaction or commerce with bandits, including selling food, drinks or other supplies to them.
He remarked, “We keep warning people not to deal with bandits or supply them goods.”
Musa described any form of trade with criminal elements as morally unacceptable and damaging to national security.
He said, “If you sell food to them and accept their money, you are spending blood money—and that is wrong.”
The minister also urged state governments to avoid entering peace deals or negotiations with armed groups, noting that such arrangements are often deceptive and ineffective.
He referenced the experience in Katsina State, pointing out that the Federal Government had previously discouraged peace agreements with bandits in the area.
Musa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring nationwide security, stating that continuous military operations, public support, and effective intelligence remain the surest path to eliminating banditry.
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