FG will not pay ransom for release of kidnap victims, says Tinubu 

Kunle 

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will not entertain the option of payment of ransom for the release and rescue of kidnapped victims. 

The President stated this Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was held at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Quoting the president, at a briefing with State House Correspondents after the conclusion of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris said President Tinubu also reiterated this directive to the defence ministry to ensure proper compliance of the release of the victims to their respective homes. 

 The president said this against the backdrop of heightened cases of kidnapping especially school children in Kaduna, Sokoto and others.

Last Thursday, robbers seized over 280 pupils and teachers from the Government Secondary School and the LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, causing national outrage.

Two days later, in the village of Gidan Bakuso in the Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, fifteen students studying Islamic education and a lady were kidnapped.

Speaking regarding the development, Idris stated that the President made his stance against payment of ransom to kidnappers and that the current administration is determined to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.