‘It’s counterproductive’ — Ribadu asks Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), has asked Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers.

Ribadu spoke on Tuesday while handing over 60 rescued kidnapped victims to their families.

He said the rescued victims are proof that security agencies are competent enough to return abducted citizens to their families without ransom payments.

“Once again, we are here to do what we have done a couple of times already, that is, to hand over rescued victims of kidnap and banditry to their families,” NAN quoted Ribadu as saying.

“Evil people turn our lives upside down. They are the victims. Many of them have been with them for a couple of months, but we thank God.

“Today, we are releasing 60, and hopefully that will be the final one from that part of Nigeria. Last week, we did about 50.

“I want to once again use the opportunity to thank our armed forces, our security forces, and indeed, the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who is working daily to restore order, security, and stability.

“Daily, we are getting freedom back to our own people. We will continue to do so. We will not relent, and we will not stop.”

Ribadu said rescuing the victims was not the end of the story, adding that security agencies are working to nab the perpetrators and ensure that they face justice.

“But I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people to please, stop giving money to these people. It is one of the worst things that is happening,” he appealed.

“The families of many of these people, as you see them, gave monies to their abductors, but it did not lead to their release. It is we, the security forces, that still rescued them.

“I want to make a very strong appeal to all, it is understandable that when your person is in captivity, you will do whatever it takes for you to get him back. But this is counterproductive.”

He said the victims, comprising 35 males and 25 females, were rescued mostly from Lere, Zangon Kataf and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Adamu Laka, national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army troops supported by other security and intelligence agencies rescued the abductees on Monday.

Laka said those rescued included Adesanya Michael, a deputy director at the National Assembly Commission, kidnapped from Kubwa, Abuja and Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Bishop Mathew Kukah.