He said security forces rely on military pressure and intelligence operations to secure their release.
The Nigerian Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has restated that the Federal Government does not pay ransom for abducted victims.
He said security forces rely on military pressure and intelligence operations to secure their release.
Musa made the clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa monitored by Daily Trust, amid public assumptions that ransom payments are often made to free kidnapped 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 rescued victims are usually freed after sustained security operations.
“People only assume that ransom is paid. For example, whenever children are kidnapped from schools, soldiers go into the forest to apply pressure on the bandits so they will flee and abandon the children, and then we recover them. There is no issue of paying ransom,” he explained.
Musa warned that paying ransom strengthens criminal networks and encourages further kidnappings.
“We also oppose it, because if it continues, it will encourage people to kidnap for money. That is why we say people should stop paying ransom,” he said.
He urged families and communities to report kidnapping incidents to security agencies rather than negotiating with abductors.
“If someone is kidnapped, they should report to the security agencies so that proper action can be taken,” the minister added.
Musa also advised communities to stop dealings with bandits, including supplying them with food or other items.
“We constantly tell people to stop having dealings with bandits and to stop selling food or drinks to them,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of public cooperation, noting that intelligence from citizens is vital in tackling banditry nationwide.
“What people should understand is that if you sell food to them and they give you money, you are taking blood money, and that is not good,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace through sustained military action and public support.
He also cautioned state governments against negotiating peace with bandits.
Citing Katsina as an example, Musa said the Federal Government had warned against peace initiatives with armed groups in the state, emphasising the nationwide goal of maintaining peace.