No dime will be paid to kidnappers - FG

The federal government has announced that no ransom would be paid to kidnappers.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said this during a press briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at Aso Rock on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

According to him, the federal government is working hard to ensure those abducted are returned to their families safely.

His comment comes following the reports of kidnapping in Kaduna, Borno and Sokoto States respectively.

He said;

“Now, it is true that some of these are happening. We have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno and then in Sokoto. Of course, the government is watching that very closely and not just watching, also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.

“Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that is an unacceptable situation and the government will not condone abductions or kidnappings or any kind of criminality in that direction. We’re seeing this happening and the government is taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this apparently.

“We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also getting some soft targets. But the government is not taking any excuses.

“So, it’s important to underscore that no dime, the government is not paying anybody any dime and the government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety.”