Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), has urged Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers.
Ribadu made the appeal on Tuesday while handing over 60 rescued kidnap victims to their families.
He emphasized that the rescue of these victims serves as evidence that security agencies are capable of bringing abducted citizens back to their families without the need for ransom payments.
“Once again, we are here to do what we have done a couple of times already, that is, to hand over rescued victims of kidnap and banditry to their families,” Ribadu was quoted as saying by NAN.
“Evil people turn our lives upside down. They are the victims. Many of them have been with them for a couple of months, but we thank God.
“Today, we are releasing 60, and hopefully, that will be the final one from that part of Nigeria. Last week, we did about 50.”
“I want to once again use the opportunity to thank our armed forces, our security forces, and indeed, the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who is working daily to restore order, security, and stability.
“Daily, we are getting freedom back to our own people. We will continue to do so. We will not relent, and we will not stop.”
Ribadu noted that rescuing the victims is only part of the process, stressing that security agencies are working tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face justice.
“But I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people to please, stop giving money to these people. It is one of the worst things that is happening,” he urged.
“The families of many of these people, as you see them, gave monies to their abductors, but it did not lead to their release. It is we, the security forces, that still rescued them.
“I want to make a very strong appeal to all; it is understandable that when your person is in captivity, you will do whatever it takes for you to get him back. But this is counterproductive.”
The victims, comprising 35 males and 25 females, were rescued primarily from Lere, Zangon Kataf, and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), revealed that troops from the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, supported by other security and intelligence agencies, carried out the rescue operation on Monday.
Laka further disclosed that among those rescued were Adesanya Michael, a deputy director at the National Assembly Commission, who was kidnapped from Kubwa, Abuja, and Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Bishop Mathew Kukah.
