The Federal Government has warned Nigerians to desist from paying ransoms to kidnappers and bandits.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, who gave the warning at a press briefing after the Federal Executive Council in Abuja on Wednesday, January 17, said the payment would only embolden the culprits to demand more, thereby jeopardising public safety.
Badaru also said that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify efforts in flushing out the perpetrators of criminal acts in the society.
He said:
“Yesterday, we are aware Mr. President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted efforts are being done by security to stop it immediately.
“As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, these kidnappings happen around the suburb, around locations that are bothering Kaduna and Niger States. And this is as a result of the current operations going on in the North West and some parts of North Central.
“The bandits are fleeing and they are getting shelters around these areas and the security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement and finish this thing once and for all.”
