The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has reiterated that the Federal Government does not negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers or terrorist groups.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa said military rescue efforts are guided by credible intelligence and swift action, stressing that paying ransom only encourages criminal activities.
“Government does not pay ransom to secure the release of anyone from terrorists. Such payments are usually made by individuals. Whenever a kidnapping occurs, the military immediately takes action,” he said.
Musa explained that he strongly opposes ransom payments, warning that guaranteed financial rewards would only attract more people into kidnapping and terrorism. He maintained that the government does not fund such payments, even though private individuals sometimes do.
The defence minister noted that security forces often succeed in rescuing abducted victims once their location is identified. “In many cases, when our troops move in, the kidnappers flee into the bush and abandon their captives, who are then safely recovered,” he stated.
On the persistence of terrorist activities, Musa attributed the challenge partly to Nigeria’s vast landmass, which allows criminals to relocate when pressure mounts in one area.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen border security, including the construction of border fences, to curb the movement of terrorists and illegal goods. According to him, the government is determined to monitor entries from neighbouring countries to ensure proper documentation and prevent cross-border crimes.