President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration will not tolerate payment of ransom to criminal elements engaged in the abduction of citizens in some parts of the country.
Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said the president reiterated his zero tolerance for ransom payment at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over him.
The minister said President Tinubu directed security agents to ensure the rescue of all the abducted people and return them safely to their homes.
…….Dateline on attacks from December to date
Last Thursday, terrorists rode on motorbikes and abducted some 287 teachers and pupils of Government Secondary School and the LEA Primary School, both in Kuriga, Chikum local government area of Kaduna state.
And just some five days after the Kuriga incident, some gunmen also kidnapped some 61persons, comprising 32 females and 29 males, in Buda Hausa community in Kajuru local government of Kaduna state.
Early in the year, about 85 persons, comprising travelers and residents, were reportedly abducted by terrorists at Katari along the Kaduna/Abuja highways near Katari, in the Kachia local government area of Kaduna state, while no fewer than four residents were reportedly killed by the criminal elements.
And December last year, nine residents were killed with several others kidnapped after terrorists attacked four villages in Sokoto state between Monday and Tuesday (December 4 and 5 respectively).
But in another incident last week Wednesday, troops ofthe Nigerian Armyrepelled attack on Damba Dikko village in Illela local government area also of Sokoto state.
According to media reports, the troops neutralised two of the insurgents and rescued two victims held hostage by the criminal elements.
In Borno, four policemen were allegedly killed and a cache of ammunition stolen when suspected terrorists believed to be fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a police station in Nganzai local government area of the state.
…Tinubu talks tough
But briefing journalist in Abuja on the federal government’s stance on the spate of attacks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Idris, said: “Also, in council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to security agencies and Ministry of Defence to ensure that those 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 in Council today.
“So, the security agencies are working round the clock. This 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 government to any of these criminal elements. I think it’s important that this be put out there.
“We have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno State and then in Sokoto. Of course, government is watching that very closely and not just watching but also security agencies are actually taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.”
“The government will not condone abductions or kidnapping or any kind of criminality in that direction. We saying of course, this happened and government is taking very proactive steps first to mitigate that and also to stop the spread of this.
“We are seeing some kind of movement and the more security agencies are also hitting these targets, the more these criminals are pushed to also getting some soft targets. But government is not taking 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 government is not paying anybody any dime. And the government is optimistic that these children and other people that are abducted will be brought back to their families in safety. It is very important for us to note that,” he said.
…U.S., others offer helping hand
The minister also said the United States of America and other countries have offered to assist Nigeria in the rescue of kidnapped children.
“Talking about what support if any are we getting from other countries, specifically the US. Well, we’re aware that is not just the US that has actually offered. Other countries have also offered to support Nigeria. But what we can tell you is that government is still reviewing these offers and the position of government will be made known to you,” Idris further added. (Blueprint)
