The Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, has called on Nigerians to cease the illegal practice of paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits. Speaking at a briefing following the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Badaru emphasized that such payments only serve to embolden the criminals, leading to increased demands and compromising public safety.
Badaru revealed that, in response to the growing issue, President Muhammadu Buhari had convened a meeting with service chiefs on Tuesday. During the meeting, the President directed security agencies to intensify their efforts to eradicate criminal activities and apprehend those responsible.
He highlighted that the recent surge in kidnappings around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was connected to the ongoing operations in the northwest and parts of the north central region. As bandits seek refuge in areas bordering Kaduna and Niger states, security agencies are working diligently to push them out and bring an end to their activities.
Badaru strongly condemned the act of raising funds to pay ransom, categorizing it as illegal and a practice that would only encourage perpetrators to persist in their criminal activities. The government’s focus is on addressing the root causes of kidnapping and enhancing security measures to curb these criminal acts.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, has advised Nigerians to refrain from discussing security issues in public or the media due to potential implications for thwarting security agencies’ efforts against criminals. He stressed the importance of managing the kidnapping situation discreetly and intelligently to achieve a more productive resolution of incidents.
Addressing the Ibadan explosion that occurred on Tuesday, Badaru mentioned that a comprehensive investigation has commenced to uncover both the immediate and remote causes of the tragic incident. The preliminary findings, as noted by the governor, suggested the presence of explosives in the area owned by illegal miners, while another report indicated a gas explosion.
In response to these developments, the government has taken a proactive stance by establishing a committee to review laws concerning explosives. The committee aims to investigate if there has been a violation of the control of explosive laws, especially in the area where the incident occurred. This move is part of the government’s efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public in the aftermath of such incidents.
