We won’t pay ransom for rescue of Kaduna Kidnapped children –Tinubu

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Tinubu Wednesday warned that his administration is not ready to cut deals with criminal elements, saying no ransom will be paid to secure the rescue of the 280 pupils kidnapped from Kaduna school last week.
He, however assured that the children, and indeed, every other citizens being currently held by the Kidnappers would soon be rescued to safety.
Accordingly, he has issued a marching order to the security agencies to swing into full action against the Kidnappers and safely bring back all those in their custody.
Minister of Information and National Orientation. Mohammed Idris who disclosed this to newsmen after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, said the president stated this while addressing council members at the meeting.
Recall that Kidnappers stormed the premises of Government Secondary School Kuriga, in Kaduna State last week and took away about 280 children.
Addressing newsmen at the end of FEC meeting, the minister said: “Also in council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to security agencies and Ministry of Defense to ensure that those our kids that have been abducted by this criminal gangs are brought back to their homes safely. And Mr. President has also reiterated his zero tolerance for the payment of ransom, that was also mentioned by Mr. President in Council today.
“So, the security agencies are working round the clock. This children and people that have been abducted by criminal elements will be brought back to safety pretty soon. The security agencies are working hard in that direction. And Mr. President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. I think it’s important that this be put out there.”
Answering a question on the offer by the United States to assist Nigeria in the rescue efforts and how government would cue onto it, the minister said government was reviewing the offers, not only by the US but sundry other nations, and that its position would be made know in due course.
Idris said: “Talking about what support, if any, are we getting from other countries, specifically the US. Well, we’re aware that is not just the US that has actually offered. Other countries have also offered to support Nigeria. But what we can tell you is that government is still reviewing these offers and the position of government will be made known to you.
Asked what government is doing generally on the apparent surge in abductions, he responded: “Now, it is true that some of these are happening. We have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno State and then in Sokoto. Of course, government is watching that very closely and not just watching but also agencies are actually taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.
“Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that is not unacceptable situation. The government will not condone abductions or kidnapping or any kind of criminality in that direction. We saying of course, this happened and government is taking very proactive steps first to mitigate that and also to stop the spread of this.
“You know, we are seeing some kind of movement and the more security agencies are also hitting these targets, the more these criminals are pushed to also getting some soft targets. But government is not taking any excuses. The President has directed that security agencies must as a matter of urgency, ensure that these children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety and also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.
“So it’s important to underscore that government is not paying anybody any dime. And the government is optimistic that these children and other people that are abducted will be brought back to their families in safety. It is very