The Nigerian federal government has issued a strong caution to citizens, emphasizing the perils associated with engaging in crowdfunding to procure funds for ransom payments.
The Minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, delivered the warning on Wednesday, asserting that such practices could exacerbate the situation and incentivize criminals to make further demands after kidnapping victims, ultimately glamorizing criminal activities.
The minister conveyed this message while addressing journalists following the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House in Abuja. The advisory comes in response to recent events where over N50 million was raised through crowdfunding to secure the release of the remaining five daughters of Mansoor Al-Kadriya, who were kidnapped in Abuja.
Despite the government’s concern about the escalating kidnappings, Minister Badaru maintained that resorting to crowdfunding for ransom payments would not contribute positively to the situation. He underscored the existing law against ransom payments, expressing disappointment that people were soliciting donations over the internet and radio to pay ransoms.
“We all know there’s 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,” stated Badaru.
The minister argued that if ransoms are withheld and kidnappers are deprived of financial support, they would gradually cease such criminal activities. He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of adhering to the law to make kidnapping financially unviable.
“If we stop, over time the kidnapping will not be profitable, and they will stop. It is not easy though but that is the law,” he affirmed.
Addressing the recent surge in kidnappings in Abuja, Minister Badaru attributed the criminal activities to individuals fleeing military operations in the Northwest and North Central zones. He assured the public that the government and security operatives are diligently working to apprehend the bandits, preventing further abductions. President Bola Tinubu has reportedly issued directives to eliminate the bandits and provide the necessary support for security agencies to bring an end to the situation.
“As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, these kidnappings happen around the suburb, around now and locations that are bothering Kaduna and Niger and this is as a result of the current operations going on in the northwest and some parts of north central,” explained the minister.
He continued, “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. The President has given us the marching order and all the support that we need and what the security agencies need to end this thing.”
