National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has urged Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers, warning that it fuels insecurity. His call came after the rescue of 60 hostages in Kaduna. Ribadu credited security forces for the operation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the country.
As Nigeria battles escalating security threats, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has made a public appeal to citizens: stop paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits. Ribadu delivered this message on Tuesday during the reception of 60 kidnap victims recently freed after military operations in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna.
Speaking at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Ribadu emphasized that ransom payments only worsen the nation’s security crisis. “Many families handed over money to kidnappers hoping for the release of their loved ones, but it was the security forces — not the payments — that secured their freedom,” Ribadu said. He warned that every ransom paid strengthens criminal networks, making future rescues even harder.
The NSA praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies for their relentless efforts, crediting their success to persistence rather than financial negotiation. He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s steadfast support of national security initiatives, adding that while rescues are a milestone, the ultimate goal remains the dismantling of criminal networks and the prosecution of perpetrators.
The group of rescued individuals, held captive for over a month, included a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, among others — 35 males, 29 females, and children. Ribadu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to not only rescuing victims but also delivering justice to those responsible.
