ABUJA, Nigeria — Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), has called on Nigerians to cease paying ransom to kidnappers, emphasising that security agencies are capable of rescuing victims without such payments.
Ribadu’s statement came on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, during the handover of 60 kidnapped victims to their families, an event that marked another step in the ongoing battle against widespread abductions across the country.
“Once again, we are here to do what we have done a couple of times already, that is, to hand over rescued victims of kidnap and banditry to their families,” Ribadu said.
“Evil people turn our lives upside down. They are the victims. Many of them have been with them for a couple of months, but we thank God.”
The 60 rescued individuals, comprising 35 males and 25 females, were mostly taken from Lere, Zangon Kataf, and Kagarko Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ribadu’s message also underscored the critical role of the Nigerian armed forces in these rescues.
“Today, we are releasing 60, and hopefully that will be the final one from that part of Nigeria,” Ribadu added.
“Last week, we did about 50.” He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the armed forces, and other security agencies for their continued efforts to combat insecurity.
While celebrating these successes, Ribadu emphasised that rescues were just one part of the broader effort.
“Rescuing the victims is not the end of the story,” he stated. “Security agencies are working to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face justice.”
The NSA urged Nigerians to refrain from paying ransom, which he described as counterproductive.
“But I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people to please, stop giving money to these people,” he appealed.
“The families of many of these people, as you see them, gave monies to their abductors, but it did not lead to their release. It is we, the security forces, that still rescued them.”
Ribadu’s statement comes at a time when abductions for ransom continue to be a significant security challenge in Nigeria.
The country has seen a rise in violent attacks by bandits and kidnappers, with many families left to negotiate with criminals to free loved ones.
Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), confirmed the operation that led to the rescue of the 60 victims.
The rescue was carried out by the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, with support from other security and intelligence agencies.
Among the victims were notable figures, including Adesanya Michael, a deputy director at the National Assembly Commission, who was abducted from Kubwa, Abuja, and Ishaya Kuka, the brother of Bishop Matthew Kukah.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly warned against negotiating with kidnappers, a practice that has been blamed for fuelling the crisis.
While security agencies continue their efforts to secure the release of kidnapped individuals, Ribadu’s message reinforces the need for a collective national effort to combat the root causes of abductions.
