Stop Paying Ransom to Kidnappers, Bandits, Wike Tells Victims
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By Our Reporter
As kidnapping and banditry become big business in Nigeria, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said victims and their families should stop paying ransom.
This was as federal government has come out to speak against crowdfunding to raise money being demanded by kidnappers as ransom to free victims.
Wike argued that payment of ransom will instead make the lawless acts boom in favour of the criminals.
The Minister’s statement is coming on the heels of kidnap of seven residents of Sagwari Estate Layout, Dutse, whose captors have been demand for N700m to free them.
Wike gave the advice during a town hall meeting held in respect of incessant kidnapping in Abuja.
He said during the meeting, “We have to stop this idea of going to the radio to say we are ready to raise money. When you do that, those criminals are happy. They are happy when the people that are concerned, you people, want to raise money.
“No. I know it is painful that your wife, your children, and your husband have been kidnapped. All we want is to stop it, not to encourage it.
“Journalists should also help us. We need the support of everybody. The kind of news you write also will encourage them.”
Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru also warned against crowdfunding after the sum of N50 million was raised through this process to pay ransom so that the five daughters of Abuja resident, Mansoor Al-Kadriya can be released.
Badaru told newsmen in Abuja “We all know that there is an existing law against payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to go over the internet and radio asking for donations to pay ransom.
“This will only worsen the situation, it will not help the situation at all, as you have seen. Initially, they asked for N60 million and now because of this funding and I learnt somebody has raised N50 million already through friends and media, and the kidnappers jacked up the ransom.
“We believe we have to stop. As painful as it is, we have to stop responding to requests for ransom. If we stop, overtime the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop.
“It is not easy though, that is the law, that you know. So, we want to call on the people to manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and very quietly, because talking too much about it, most especially, raising funds through the public, media, is not productive at all and should be discontinued.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Abuja, John Gabaya disclosed that the Council has concluded arrangements to engage 50 hunters and 50 vigilantes into a joint task force to join the security operatives to protect 90 villages and 16 districts that make up Bwari Council.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had also on Wednesday promised that the Police will rise to the occasion of protecting residents in Abuja.
Egbetokun disclosed that a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) has been set up to check the activities of kidnappers and and bandits in Abuja.
The IGP said, “I am imbued with a profound sense of duty as we confront the crisis of kidnappings and violent crimes presently afflicting our esteemed nation, particularly in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
“The alarming rise in these criminal activities, without equivocation, demands immediate and resolute action from us all. It is, thus, with a determined spirit that I proudly announce the inauguration of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).”
As kidnapping and banditry become big business in Nigeria, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said victims and their families should stop paying ransom.
This was as federal government has come out to speak against crowdfunding to raise money being demanded by kidnappers as ransom to free victims.
Wike argued that payment of ransom will instead make the lawless acts boom in favour of the criminals.
The Minister’s statement is coming on the heels of kidnap of seven residents of Sagwari Estate Layout, Dutse, whose captors have been demand for N700m to free them.
Wike gave the advice during a town hall meeting held in respect of incessant kidnapping in Abuja.
He said during the meeting, “We have to stop this idea of going to the radio to say we are ready to raise money. When you do that, those criminals are happy. They are happy when the people that are concerned, you people, want to raise money.
“No. I know it is painful that your wife, your children, and your husband have been kidnapped. All we want is to stop it, not to encourage it.
“Journalists should also help us. We need the support of everybody. The kind of news you write also will encourage them.”
Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru also warned against crowdfunding after the sum of N50 million was raised through this process to pay ransom so that the five daughters of Abuja resident, Mansoor Al-Kadriya can be released.
Badaru told newsmen in Abuja “We all know that there is an existing law against payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to go over the internet and radio asking for donations to pay ransom.
“This will only worsen the situation, it will not help the situation at all, as you have seen. Initially, they asked for N60 million and now because of this funding and I learnt somebody has raised N50 million already through friends and media, and the kidnappers jacked up the ransom.
“We believe we have to stop. As painful as it is, we have to stop responding to requests for ransom. If we stop, overtime the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop.
“It is not easy though, that is the law, that you know. So, we want to call on the people to manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and very quietly, because talking too much about it, most especially, raising funds through the public, media, is not productive at all and should be discontinued.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Abuja, John Gabaya disclosed that the Council has concluded arrangements to engage 50 hunters and 50 vigilantes into a joint task force to join the security operatives to protect 90 villages and 16 districts that make up Bwari Council.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had also on Wednesday promised that the Police will rise to the occasion of protecting residents in Abuja.
Egbetokun disclosed that a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) has been set up to check the activities of kidnappers and and bandits in Abuja.
The IGP said, “I am imbued with a profound sense of duty as we confront the crisis of kidnappings and violent crimes presently afflicting our esteemed nation, particularly in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
“The alarming rise in these criminal activities, without equivocation, demands immediate and resolute action from us all. It is, thus, with a determined spirit that I proudly announce the inauguration of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).”
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