The Federal Government is currently considering foreign assistance in combating high-profile crimes such as kidnapping. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that countries like the United States have offered to help Nigeria address these security challenges. Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Idris stated that the President has reiterated his directive for security agencies to ensure the safe return of all kidnap victims.
The recent spike in kidnapping cases, particularly in the North, has raised serious concerns. Last week, 287 pupils were abducted from a primary school in Kaduna, and on Monday, 61 people were abducted in another attack in the same state. Additionally, 16 Qur’anic students were kidnapped in Sokoto, and there were reports of women being kidnapped from an Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) camp in Borno. While these incidents remain controversial without official confirmation, many Nigerians are urging the government to seek external support to address the rising insecurity.
Idris clarified that President Tinubu has emphasized that no ransom will be paid to the criminals. He also mentioned that besides the United States, other countries have offered assistance, which the government is currently reviewing. The security agencies are working tirelessly to rescue the abducted individuals, and the government remains optimistic about their safe return. Minister Idris emphasized that the government is not paying any ransom and reiterated President Tinubu's directive to ensure the safe return of all abductees.
