Nigeria Will Not Pay Ransom to Terrorists, Defence Minister Christopher Musa Reaffirms
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has restated the Federal Government’s position that it neither negotiates with kidnappers nor pays ransom to terrorist organisations, PulseNets learnt.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, the defence minister explained that military rescue missions are primarily intelligence-led and executed with speed once credible information is obtained. He noted that conceding to ransom demands only entrenches criminality and insecurity.
“The government does not pay ransom to rescue anyone from terrorists. Those who make such payments are private individuals,” Musa said. “Whenever there is a kidnapping incident, the military immediately moves into action.”
He further cautioned against the culture of ransom payment, stressing that it incentivises more people to engage in kidnapping and terrorism.
“I do not support paying ransom because once terrorists and kidnappers are assured of money, more individuals will be attracted to these crimes,” he told PulseNets.
The defence minister maintained that the Federal Government does not authorise or facilitate payments for the release of abducted persons, adding that any ransom paid in such situations is usually done independently by families or other private actors.
PulseNets reported that Musa also highlighted the responsiveness of the armed forces to kidnapping cases, noting that timely intervention often leads to the safe recovery of victims.
“In many situations, once we locate them, our troops advance into the area. The kidnappers usually escape into the bush and abandon their captives, who are then rescued,” he stated.
Addressing public concerns over the persistence of terrorist activities across the country, Musa attributed the challenge partly to Nigeria’s vast geographical size, which allows criminal groups to relocate when pressure mounts in one region.
“This is a very large country. When security forces intensify operations in one place, the terrorists simply move elsewhere,” he explained.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen border security as part of a broader counterterrorism strategy. According to him, measures such as border fencing and tighter surveillance would help restrict the movement of terrorists into Nigeria.
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Musa told PulseNets that the government remains committed to monitoring individuals entering the country from neighbouring states to ensure they possess valid documentation.
He added that effective border barriers would not only curb the influx of illegal arms and contraband but also prevent criminal elements from crossing into Nigeria to launch attacks and escape undetected.
