The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, has urged Nigerians to stop the payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits, saying it is illegal.

Speaking with newsmen after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister said the payment would only embolden the gunmen to demand more, thereby jeopardising public safety.

Badaru, who is the immediate past governor of Jigawa State, said President Bola Tinubu, at a meeting with service chiefs on Tuesday, directed security agencies to intensify efforts in flushing out the perpetrators of criminal acts in the country.

He said: “Yesterday, we are aware Mr President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted effort is being made 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. This is a result of the current operations going on in the North-West and some parts of North-Central.

READ ALSO: Abuja residents’ kidnappers kill 3 victims in captivity

“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.”

The minister added that raising funds to pay ransom was an illegal act and an action that would further encourage the perpetrators in their nefarious acts.

The Senate had passed the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, into law and amended Section 14.

The section says: “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”

Badaru further urged Nigerians to avoid discussing security issues in the public or the media because of its implications for thwarting criminals by security agencies.

The minister said Nigerians should manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and quietly to achieve a productive resolution of the incidences.

On the Ibadan explosion on Tuesday, Badaru said a full investigation has commenced to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the incident.

He said: “The governor said preliminary investigation suggests that there are some explosives around the area that are owned by illegal miners. Well, we have also seen another report suggesting also gas explosion.

“So, our team is there trying to find out what is the course.

“The council, to be proactive, has already set up a committee to look into how the control of explosive law is broken if indeed there are explosives around the area where this incident happened.”

The Star