Cleric Warns Against Ransom Payments to Kidnappers, Citing Increased Criminality

Renowned cleric Gbenga Sodeinde from Grace Merci Prayer Mountain Worldwide, along with Prophet Sam Olu Alo of Sam Olu Alo Foundation, cautioned the Nigerian government during an event in Ido Ekiti against perpetuating criminality by paying ransom to kidnappers. They highlighted the dangers of sustaining a kidnap economy through ransom payments, urging authorities to tackle underlying issues like unemployment and social deprivation to combat banditry effectively.

The clerics emphasized the need for intelligence-driven strategies and firm law enforcement rather than resorting to ransom deals.