Amidst the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has urged Nigerians to cease providing funds to kidnappers and bandits.
He made this appeal on Tuesday while receiving 60 recently rescued kidnapping victims.
These individuals were freed from captivity in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, following sustained military operations.
The victims were received at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
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“Please stop giving money to these people, it is the most difficult thing we are facing,” the NSA told Nigerians.
“Many of these people (kidnap victims), their families have given money to these people (kidnappers) but it did not lead to their own release. It is we the security forces that have brought them out.
“It is not the money that they are giving. These people, the more you give, the more you compound the problem for us. We have never given anybody a dime and we don’t want people to do so.”
Ribadu argued that paying ransom only fuels the activities of kidnappers across the country.
He credited the successful rescue of the victims to the dedication and perseverance of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
“Let me specially commend our armed forces and security services. Their tireless pursuit of these criminals is the reason we are here today,” he noted.
Ribadu also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support of the nation’s security architecture.
“Thanks to the commitment of Mr. President, we are making progress daily. However, the release of victims is not the end. We will continue to pursue these perpetrators and ensure they face justice.”
The rescued victims, who had been held captive for more than a month, include a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The group consisted of 35 men and 29 women and children.
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