Kidnapping in Nigeria according to many, has become a very lucrative venture, and daily, the business seems to be growing rapidly.
The government has tried its best to put an end to this disturbing practice, many Nigerians have also involved themselves in the battle against kidnapping.
But there is one thing many Nigerians did not know or should we say, have failed to realise.
You see, in a bid to join in the fight against kidnapping, some Nigerians, driven by sympathy began crowdfunding for the release of kidnapped victims.
But now, the government has warned Nigerians about the dangers inherent in getting involved in crowdfunding to raise funds for ransom payments.
Encouragement
The Minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, warned that such practices would worsen the situation.
Not just that, it also encourage the criminals to make demands after kidnapping their victims as it will make criminal activities attractive.
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He gave the note of warning while speaking to journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting in the State House, Abuja.
The Minister spoke against the backdrop of the recent happening in which over ₦50 million was raised through crowdfunding to pay a ransom.
The ransom was for the release of the remaining five daughters of Mansoor Al-Kadriya who were kidnapped in Abuja.
The Law
However, Badaru insisted that while the government is concerned about the kidnappings, raising ransom through crowdfunding won’t help the situation.
“We all know there’s an existing law against payment of ransom.
So, it is very sad for people to go over the internet, radio asking for donations to pay ransom.
This will only worsen the situation, it will not help,” Badaru said.
The Minister said if ransoms are not paid and the kidnappers get starved of money, gradually they will stop such criminal activities.
“If we stop, over time the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop. It is not easy though but that is the law,” he said.
Marching Orders
Speaking further, the Minister said criminals responsible for recent kidnappings in Abuja are those fleeing military operations in the Northwest and North Central zones.
He added that the government and security operatives are, however, working assiduously to clamp down on the bandits and prevent further abductions.
To him, President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to flush them out.
He said: “As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, these kidnappings happen around the suburb, around now and locations that are bothering Kaduna and Niger.
This is as a result of the current operations going on in the northwest and some parts of north central.”
“The bandits are fleeing and they are getting shelters around these areas.
The security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement and finish this thing once and for all.
