- Safiu Kehinde
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has urged Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits in a effort to bring an end to the spate of insecurity in the country.
Ribadu made the plea while addressing newsmen in Abuja shortly after receiving 60 kidnapped victims who were rescued by Army troops in collaboration with other security agencies.
The NSA maintained that the payment of ransom encourages the bandits while also hindering the progress of the security forces in curbing their menace.
“I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people. Please stop giving money to these people. It’s one of the worst and the most difficult thing we are facing.
“Many of these people as you see them, their families have given money to the bandits, but it did not lead to their release.
“It is we the security forces that brought them out. It is not the money that they have given. These people,.the more you give, the more you are compounding the problem for us. We have never given anybody a dime. We don’t and we don’t want people to do so. Please stop it.
“Inadvertently, we are helping this thing. We are saying enough is enough. We will not be able to stop this thing quickly if people continue to give them money.
“I want to make a very strong appeal to all. It is understandable when someone of yours is in captivity, you will do whatever it takes to get him back,” Ribadu.