In a stern warning, the Federal Government has cautioned against public crowdfunding to pay ransoms for kidnapped victims, asserting that such actions would only exacerbate the spate of abductions. Minister of Defense, Abubakar Badaru, made this announcement after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
This caution comes in the wake of reports that Nigerians have collectively raised over N50 million through crowdfunding to secure the release of the remaining five daughters of Mansoor Al-Kadriya, who were abducted alongside their father in Bwari Council, Abuja, on December 26, 2023.
Badaru expressed the government’s deep concern about the increasing incidents of kidnappings but emphasized that resorting to public donations for ransom payments would worsen the situation. He reminded the public of existing laws against ransom payments and urged citizens not to respond to ransom demands publicly.
The Minister highlighted the government’s stance on starving kidnappers of the profits that drive abductions, stating, “If we stop, over time the kidnapping will not be profitable, and they will stop. It is not easy, though, but that is the law.”
Addressing the recent kidnappings in the suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Badaru attributed them to bandits fleeing military operations in the North West and North Central zones. He reassured the public that security agencies are working tirelessly to track down the bandits and prevent further abductions.
The Minister also provided updates on the investigation into the explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State. While the state governor suggested that the blast might have been caused by explosives owned by illegal miners, Badaru indicated that the Defence Ministry is not ruling out other possibilities, such as a gas explosion. To proactively address the issue, a committee has been set up to scrutinize existing laws regulating the movement, storage, and handling of explosives nationwide, aiming to identify loopholes and strengthen enforcement.
Badaru reiterated Nigeria’s strict regulations for explosives, emphasizing that any breakdown in compliance with these regulations would be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
