Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, has warned against payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits.
Badaru who spoke at the end of the Federal Executive meeting on Wednesday said the payment would only embolden the culprits to demand for more, thereby jeopardising public safety.
He said that the President, at a meeting on Tuesday with service chiefs, had directed security agencies to intensify efforts in flushing out the perpetrators of criminal acts in the society.
“Yesterday, we are aware Mr President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted efforts is being done by security to stop it immediately.
“As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, these kidnappings happen around the suburb, around locations that are bothering Kaduna and Niger states. And this is as a result of the current operations going on in the north west and some parts of north central.
“The bandits are fleeing and they are getting shelters around these areas and the security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement and finish this thing once and for all,” he said.
He added that raising fund to pay ransom was an illegal act and an action that would further encourage the perpetrators in their nefarious acts.
