Federal Government Won’t Pay Ransom To Release Kidnapped People, Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu announced on Wednesday that the federal government won't pay any ransom to release kidnapped people.

Tinubu, represented by minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting said all security agencies have been directed to ensure the return of abducted people in Kaduna and Borno states.

However, the president noted that to bring abducted people back from the criminal gangs, the government won't pay any ransom to the kidnappers, adding that the "security agencies are working round the clock" to free the kidnapped Nigerians, The Cable reported.

"These children and people that have been abducted by criminal elements will be brought back to safety pretty soon," the president assured in the meeting. "Other countries have also offered to support Nigeria. But what we can tell you is that the government is still reviewing these offers and the position of government will be made known to you."

The details of the meeting were shared on X handle, formerly known as Twitter.

Last week, terrorists abducted at least 100 people, including students and teachers, in an attack on a public primary school following the morning assembly.

This incident follows last month's killing of bandit kingpin Isyaku Boderi who was accused of kidnapping many high-profile people in the northern part of the country. It is not clear if this incident is related to Boderi's killing.

This is not the first time gunmen have kidnapped students in Nigeria. Last year, gunmen entered three hostels at the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State and abducted 30 students, 24 of whom were reportedly female.

Aside from announcing no ransom for kidnappers, the FEC approved an additional N757 billion for the Obajana-Benin Road dualization project during the meeting. They clarified that the recent increase in cement prices is due to rising production costs, not their concrete road policy.

"Today we've got augmentation approved for Obajana in Lokoja to Benin Road, a total of 244km and 489km dualized. Recall that in 2012, this project was awarded to four contractors: CGC, Mothercat, Dantata & Sawoe and RCC at a total cost of N122bn, and that was for light rehabilitation," minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, said, Vanguard reported.