Abduction: ADC seeks clarification on ‘ransom payment, prisoner release’

The African Democratic Congress has demanded urgent clarification from the Federal Government over international media reports alleging that the Tinubu administration paid over N10 billion in ransom and released two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the release of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri. 

The demand was contained in a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, on Tuesday.

The party stated that while it welcomed the safe return of all abducted victims, it warned that such a deal contradicts the Federal Government’s public posturing against ransom payments and risks undermining Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts by potentially financing terror networks. 

The full statement read: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reviewed reports in sections of the international media alleging that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid a ransom of over N10 billion and released two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the release of the abducted pupils and school staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri. 

We recall that shortly after the kidnapped victims were released, the Federal Government as well as the various security agencies denied variously that government paid any ransom to secure their release. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu reportedly described ransom payments as “one of the worst things” promoting insecurity in the country. Quite significantly, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, expressly outlaws negotiations and ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists. 

However, what this report would mean is that government has been doing brisk business with terrorists all along and passing off ransom payments as rescue operations. 

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Allegations of ransom payments at this scale, and the possible release of high-value terror elements, raise serious concerns about terrorism financing, the rule of law, and the safety of citizens. Nigeria cannot claim to discourage ransom payments while operating in a manner that, if confirmed, rewards terror networks, incentivises future abductions, and puts more communities at risk.

Accordingly, the ADC calls on the Federal Government to issue a categorical explanation on whether any ransom, directly or indirectly, was paid in relation to the Papiri abduction, and whether any detainees or captured terror actors were released, exchanged, or otherwise discharged as part of negotiations. 

While the government may be acting under pressure to win short term political gains for bringing kidnapped victims back home, its hypocritical posture on the issue of ransom payments risks confusing citizens and promoting the vicious cycle of kidnapping in the country. 

No serious government will sacrifice national security principles on the altar of political expediency and short term media applause.”

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