We rescue without paying a dime—Defence Minister exposes FG’s rescue tactics for hostages
The Nigerian Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has restated that the Federal Government does not pay ransom to secure the release of abducted victims, stressing that military pressure and intelligence operations remain the main rescue strategy.
Speaking in an interview, Musa dismissed assumptions that ransom is paid, particularly in cases involving kidnapped schoolchildren.
“The federal government does not pay ransom. Even if others do, the federal government does not. We do not pay ransom,” he said.
He explained that victims are usually freed after sustained security operations that force kidnappers to flee. “People only assume that ransom is paid. For example, whenever children are kidnapped from schools, soldiers go into the forest to apply pressure on the bandits so they will flee and abandon the children, and then we recover them. There is no issue of paying ransom,” he stated.
Musa warned that paying ransom strengthens criminal networks and fuels further kidnappings. “We also oppose it, because if it continues, it will encourage people to kidnap for money. That is why we say people should stop paying ransom,” he said.
He urged families and communities to report abducrions to security agencies instead of negotiating with criminals. “If someone is kidnapped, they should report to the security agencies so that proper action can be taken,” he added.
The minister also cautioned against collaborating with bandits, including supplying them with food or essentials. “We constantly tell people to stop having dealings with bandits and to stop selling food or drinks to them,” he said.
Emphasising public cooperation, Musa noted that intelligence from citizens is crucial. “What people should understand is that if you sell food to them and they give you money, you are taking blood money, and that is not good,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace through sustained military action and warned state governments against negotiating peace with armed groups, citing Katsina as an example.