• FG insists it does not negotiate or pay ransom to kidnappers or terrorists

• Military rescue operations rely on intelligence-led, rapid response

• Border security to be strengthened to curb terrorists’ movement

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has restated that the Federal Government does not negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers or terrorist groups operating in the country.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa said government policy is firmly against ransom payments, stressing that such actions only encourage and expand criminal activities.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

According to him, the rescue of abducted persons by security forces is largely intelligence-driven and carried out through swift military operations.

“Government does not pay ransom to terrorists or kidnappers. Any ransom payment you hear about is made by individuals, not the government. Once there is a kidnapping case, the military immediately takes action,” Musa said.

READ ALSO: If I Were President, My Defence Minister Would Be a Drone — Sowore

He warned that paying ransom incentivises criminal groups, noting that the assurance of money attracts more people into kidnapping and terrorism.

The defence minister explained that in many rescue operations, troops move quickly once kidnappers’ locations are identified, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon their captives.

“In most cases, when our troops move in, the kidnappers escape into the bush, leaving the victims behind, and they are safely recovered,” he stated.

Musa also attributed the persistence of terrorist activities to Nigeria’s vast geographical size, which allows criminal groups to relocate easily when pressure mounts in one area.

He further revealed that the Federal Government is prioritising stronger border security, including fencing and improved monitoring, to restrict the movement of terrorists and curb the smuggling of illegal items across Nigeria’s borders.