We must block payment of ransom to terrorists, Buhari tells African leaders 

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to the payment of ransom to terrorist groups in Africa.

He made the call on Saturday while speaking at the African Union peace and security council meeting holding on the sidelines of the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Buhari said blocking the source of financing of terrorist groups is essential for the war against terrorism to succeed. He said military might alone will not bring about victory.

“For us to combat the threats posed by transnational terrorism, we must first of all address the conditions that are conducive to the spread of extremism, radicalisation and terrorism in our communities,” he said.

“Terrorism cannot be defeated only through military force and law enforcement measures.

“We need to adopt a multifaceted approach of good governance, economic development and creation of job opportunities for our youths.

“We must take collaborative measures to disrupt terrorists recruitment and financing networks. We must find effective ways to stop the movement of foreign fighters.

“Concerted efforts must be made to not only dismantle the network between transnational organised crimes and terrorist organisations, but also to block the payment of ransom to terrorist groups.”

He further said Nigeria was encouraged by the sustained multidimensional fight against the Boko Haram insurgent group, but that “there are still some pockets of terrorist activities within the Lake Chad Basin region.”

“I call on international community for more support in addressing the menace of Boko Haram and humanitarian crisis,” Buhari said.

“We must also take resolute and coordinative initiatives by developing an African Union database of persons or groups and entities involved terrorist acts for use by law enforcement agents such as borders security officers, customs, military, and intelligence officers.”