Stop Paying Kidnappers, NSA Warns Nigerians

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged Nigerians to desist from paying ransoms to kidnappers, stressing that such payments only embolden criminal elements.

Ribadu made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja while handing over 60 rescued kidnap victims to their families. He emphasized that the successful rescue operations, carried out without ransom payments, are a testament to the capability of Nigeria’s security forces.

“Please, stop giving money to these people,” Ribadu pleaded. “Many of the families here paid money to the abductors, but it didn’t lead to their release. It was the security forces that went in and brought them back.”

He warned that paying ransom is counterproductive and fuels the kidnapping industry, making it harder for security forces to dismantle criminal networks.

The victims—35 males and 25 females—were rescued from Lere, Zangon Kataf, and Kagarko local government areas of Kaduna State, as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ribadu commended the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, stating, “Daily, we are getting freedom back to our people. We will continue to do so and won’t relent.”

Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the rescue was carried out by troops of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, with support from other security and intelligence agencies.

Among the rescued are Adesanya Michael, a deputy director at the National Assembly Commission abducted in Kubwa, Abuja, and Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Bishop Mathew Kukah.

Ribadu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing and prosecuting those responsible for the kidnappings, vowing that justice would be served.

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