Tinubu Rejects Ransom Payments to Kidnappers

On a recent occasion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated his administration's firm position against negotiating with kidnappers, terrorists, and violent criminal groups. He declared that Nigeria would not pay ransom or release detained criminals in exchange for abducted victims.

This statement followed reports of kidnappers in Oyo State demanding both money and the release of their imprisoned gang members. Tinubu emphasized that the government would not entertain such demands, stating, “We refuse to negotiate with criminals.” He noted that the kidnappers' tactics reflect a troubling trend where ransom payments are coupled with demands for prisoner exchanges.

The President commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their successful rescue operations in Oyo State, which he described as a testament to the effectiveness of the nation’s evolving security strategy. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by kidnappings, which have transformed into a multibillion-naira enterprise, particularly in the North-west and North-central regions of Nigeria.