Security Alert: Defense Minister Issues Strong Warning Against Ransom Payments To Kidnappers

The Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, has urged Nigerians to stop the illegal payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits At a briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, Badaru said the payment would only embolden the culprits to demand more, thereby jeopardising public safety…..CONTINUE READING

He said that the President, at a meeting on Tuesday with service chiefs, had directed security agencies to intensify efforts to flush out the perpetrators of criminal acts in society.

“Yesterday, we are aware that Mr. President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted efforts are being made 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 northwest 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 funds to pay ransom was an illegal act and an action that would further encourage the perpetrators to continue their nefarious acts.

The Senate passed the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, into law (https://punchng.com/just-in-terrorism-act-senate-prohibits-ransom-payment-to-kidnappers/) and particularly amended Section 14.