NSA Asks Nigerians To Stop Giving Money To Bandits, Kidnappers

NSA Asks Nigerians To Stop Giving Money To Bandits, Kidnappers

Amid the ongoing security challenges facing the nation, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has urged Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits.

Ribadu made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving 60 victims recently freed from captivity in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, following sustained military operations. The victims were welcomed at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“Please stop giving money to these criminals; it is the most difficult challenge we face,” Ribadu told Nigerians.

He pointed out that many victims’ families had already paid ransoms, yet their loved ones remained captive. “It is not the money that secures their release. It is the security forces that bring them out. The more you pay, the more you compound the problem for us. We, as security forces, have never given a dime, and we don’t want anyone to do so,” he emphasized.

Ribadu also noted that by continuing to pay ransoms, Nigerians inadvertently aid the activities of kidnappers across the country.

He credited the successful rescue operation to the efforts and resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. “Let me especially commend our armed forces and security services. Their relentless pursuit of these criminals is why we are here today,” he said.

The NSA further acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support of the nation’s security efforts. “Thanks to the President’s commitment, we are making daily progress. However, the release of victims is not the end. We will continue to track down these criminals and ensure they face justice.”

Among the rescued victims, who had been held for over a month, were a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. The group included 35 males, 29 females, and children.