The Federal Government has said that it would not pay “a dime” as ransom for the release of over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna state, who were abducted on March 7.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this one Wednesday while addressing journalists at the end of meeting of the Federal Executive Council, held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for payment of ransom to bandits and has directed that no ransom will be paid by the government to any of these criminal elements.
Idris said security agencies are working round the clock to ensure the release of the school children, assuring that they be brought back to safety.
The bandits had on March 7, invaded the primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, shooting at their targets before whisking away the pupils and teachers from both schools.
Also in Borno state, at least 200 internally displaced persons from their camp in Ngala Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement last Wednesday, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, said the abductees, including women, boys and girls, were captured while fetching firewood.
Although the actual number of IDPs abducted remains unknown, Fall said they may be over 200 persons, adding that the terrorists released some older women and children below 10 years.
Speaking on the President’s stance on the issue of ransom payment, the minister said, “In council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that our kids that have been abducted by these criminal gangs are brought back to their homes safely. This was also mentioned by Mr. President in Council today.
“So, the security agencies are working around the clock. These children and people who 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 the government to any of these criminal elements.”
