- Safiu Kehinde
The Senate has debunked speculations of ransom being paid by the Federal Government for the release of the abducted victims in Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states.
Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate’s spokesperson, made this known during an interview on Channels TV’s Morning Brief Programme on Friday.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Sunday announced the release of all 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara as well as rescue of 50 out of the over 300 pupils kidnapped in Niger state.
This would be followed by the rescue of all kidnapped 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi state.
While the rescue of the victims had brought temporal relief to Nigerians, questions were however being raised over how the FG had engaged their abductors for the release of their hostages.
There were demands for the evidence of arrest or elimination of bandits while some netizens that the FG negotiated and paid ransom for the release of the victims.
Speaking during the interview on Channels TV, Adaramodu dismissed the claims.
The Senate spokesperson maintained that the security personnel’s mode of operation in carrying out the rescue mission is not expected to be disclosed in public.
“From our own side at the National Assembly, we believe that the Federal Government did not pay any ransom to anybody.
“If there is any contact with bandits, there are several types of contacts. Contacts can be negative; it can be positive. Contact can be through force. Contact can be through persuasion. Contract can be through anyway.
“Like I said, we do not expect the military or the police or the DSS to just come to the open and say that when we trekked for three kilometres, we shot two bullets. You are not expecting that one.” Adaramodu said.
The lawmaker added that the fact no arrest or killing was reported does not mean the security personnel did not engage in fierce with the assailants.
“If you have not seen the corpses of the abductors and you have not seen them being handcuffed from the forest, that one does not mean there was never a very string and serious exchange of battle.
“It is even possible that when the abductors realised that superior firepower is coming, they could even abandon their captives and fled.” He added.