The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to stop the illegal payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits.
Following the abduction and killing of some Abuja residents, Nigerians had resorted to raising funds for victims.
Bandits had broken into houses in Bwari and Dutse-Alhaji in the nation’s capital, abducting some families.
They had given some days as ultimatum for ransom payment, killing some of the victims and threatening to harm others if their demands were not met.
This had made some Nigerians to rally round the families by raising money publicly.
But speaking after a briefing of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja, Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, said the payment would only embolden the culprits to demand more, thereby jeopardising public safety.
He said at a meeting with service chiefs, President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to intensify efforts in flushing out the perpetrators of criminal acts in the society.
“Yesterday, we are aware Mr President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted efforts is being done by security to stop it immediately.
“As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, these kidnappings happen around the suburb, around locations that are bothering Kaduna and Niger states. And this is as a result of the current operations going on in the north west and some parts of north central.
“The bandits are fleeing and they are getting shelters around these areas and the security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement and finish this thing once and for all,” he said.
He added that raising fund to pay ransom was an illegal act and an action that would further encourage the perpetrators in their nefarious acts.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had passed the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, into law and particularly amended Section 14.
The section says: “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”
The minister urged Nigerians to avoid discussing security issues in the public or in the media because of its implications on thwarting the criminals by security agencies.
He said Nigerians should manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and quietly to achieve productive resolution of the incidences. (NAN)
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