Ribadu: Paying Ransom Feeds the Fire — Government Intensifies Crackdown on Kidnappers
In a fiery and emotionally charged address, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has delivered a stark warning to Nigerians, urging citizens to stop paying ransom to terrorists, kidnappers, and criminal syndicates. His impassioned plea came shortly after receiving a fresh batch of over 60 rescued victims in Kaduna State, some of whom had endured over a harrowing month in captivity.
Among the victims were high-profile individuals, including a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of renowned Catholic cleric, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. The rescue, which security insiders have described as one of the most daring in recent months, was executed through coordinated and intelligence-driven military operations in Southern Kaduna — a region that has increasingly become a flashpoint for abductions and armed violence.
Addressing the press and security personnel during the handover ceremony of the victims to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, Ribadu did not mince words.
> “Let me urge our people, our families, to stop giving ransom to these criminals,” Ribadu stated firmly. “Every naira paid only strengthens their hands, emboldens them to return with more brutality. The more you give, the more you compound the problem.”
The NSA reiterated the federal government’s zero-ransom policy, revealing that not a single kobo was paid for the release of the 64 victims — 35 males and 29 females, including children — who were visibly shaken but grateful to be alive.
> “We have never and will never give money to these evil people,” Ribadu said. “What we’ve achieved today is a testament to the unyielding courage and relentless pursuit by our Armed Forces. We are not just rescuing victims — we are hunting down the criminals, and they will face the full wrath of justice.”
Ribadu emphasized that while the rescue of abductees is a crucial part of counter-terrorism efforts, dismantling the criminal infrastructure and breaking the financial incentives behind it are equally vital.
He said the fight is far from over, but with sustained military pressure and citizens’ cooperation, the tide is turning.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, who received the freed hostages, heaped praises on the NSA and security forces for their tireless efforts in high-risk zones.
> “The NSA barely sleeps — we’ve been working day and night to ensure the safety of our people. These operations are dangerous, but necessary, and the results are speaking for themselves,” he remarked.
Abubakar also called on Nigerians to maintain their trust in the nation’s security architecture by continuing to supply credible intelligence.
> “Information is our most potent weapon. When citizens speak up, it saves lives. Keep the trust, and keep supporting us with the information needed to defeat these evil forces,” he said.
As the victims are reunited with their families, this latest operation shines a spotlight on the government’s renewed counter-kidnapping strategy — one that prioritizes intelligence, precision strikes, and the dismantling of ransom economies.
The message is clear: the days of impunity for kidnappers are numbered, and Nigerians must play their part by refusing to feed the beast.
PIONEER NEWS 