••Vows to Crush Kidnappers.
By John Audu.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, delivered a scathing rebuke to families and communities paying ransom to kidnappers, declaring they are directly funding the criminal enterprise and perpetuating the cycle of violence. His stern warning came during the handover of 60 rescued victims, including a civil service deputy director and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who were freed from captivity in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, after a month-long ordeal.
Ribadu, addressing the gathering, minced no words: “Let me urge families and communities to stop paying ransom to these criminals. We have never paid money to secure the release of any victim. Each payment only encourages them to keep going. The more you give, the more they demand.”
He credited the victims’ rescue to the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering support for the nation’s security apparatus. “Their tireless pursuit of these criminals is the reason we are here today,” Ribadu emphasized, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar echoed Ribadu’s sentiments, commending the security forces and appealing for increased public cooperation through actionable intelligence.
A rescued victim, Adesiyam Michael, recounted the harrowing experience, revealing that his wife was shot by the young, untrained kidnappers. He stressed the urgent need for rehabilitation and opportunities for these youths to prevent them from resorting to criminal activities.
The rescue operation underscores the government’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and restoring stability in affected regions, but Ribadu’s forceful message signals a zero-tolerance stance on ransom payments, deemed a critical impediment to combating the escalating kidnapping crisis.
