Crowdfunding to pay ransom for kidnapped victims worsening situation – Badaru

Abubakar Badaru, the Minister of Defence, has criticized the trend of families resorting to crowdfunding for ransom in cases of kidnappings.

He expressed concern that such self-help initiatives could exacerbate the already challenging situation. Badaru’s remarks were prompted by the widespread incidents of kidnapping carried out by bandits in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Badaru, who spoke shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressed the issue, saying, “On the case of kidnapping in FCT, Mr President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. Concerted efforts are being made by security to stop it immediately.

“As you are aware, people are saying FCT, FCT, but these kidnappings happen around the suburbs, specifically in locations bordering Kaduna and Niger.

“This is a result of the ongoing operations in the northwest and some parts of the north-central. The bandits are fleeing and finding shelter in these areas, and security agencies are working diligently to push them out, block their movement, and bring this to a decisive conclusion.

“The president has given us the marching order and all the support that we need and what the security agencies need to end this situation.

“Regarding crowdfunding, we all know there’s an existing law against the payment of ransom. So, it is disheartening to witness people going online and on radio platforms asking for donations to pay ransom. This will only exacerbate the situation; it will not provide any assistance, as evidenced by recent events. Initially, a ransom of N60 million was demanded, and now, due to this funding, I’ve learned that someone has raised N50 million through friends and the media, prompting an increase in the ransom.

“We firmly believe that we have to cease responding to ransom payments. Painful as it may be, we have to stop, as over time, kidnapping will become less profitable, and they will cease. It is not an easy task, but that is the law that you are aware of. Therefore, we urge the public to manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and discreetly because excessive public discourse, especially fundraising through the media, is counterproductive and should be discontinued,” he said.